THE multi-billion Eurofighter programme on which thousands of Lancashire jobs depend is running six months behind schedule.

But a spokesman for BAE Systems insist that the revolutionary plane will go into full service on schedule and stressed that jobs at its Samlesbury and Warton plants would not be affected.

Government Procurement Minister Lord Bach, said that the planned 'in service date' for the Eurofighter of June 2002 would have to be delayed until the end of the year. Delays in bringing the full design to maturity had prevented the test flight programme from starting on time.

"We shall be working hard with industry to recover lost time," he said. "The delays are disappointing, but reflect the complexity of the project and the major advance in technology it represents.

"Initial flights of the production aircraft have been impressive and the Government remains fully committed to this contribution to the UK's military capability."

A Spokesman for BAE Systems said the delay would not affect the operational date for the Eurofighter, understood to be scheduled for 2006.

He said the in-service date that had been delayed was when flight instructors were due to commence training.

"In a programme as complex and technologically advanced as Eurofighter, delays like this do happen," he said