A NEW factory which will help create more than 50 new jobs in East Lancashire was being officially opened today.

Callender Aeropart's purpose built factory on the Altham Industrial Estate will house its 220 staff with plants to increase it to 275 by 2001.

The firm was founded in 1974 with just four people and manufactures fan blades for jet engine and gas turbine manufacturers around the world including Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney and Alstom Gas Turbines.

In the last ten years sales at the firm have risen by 850 per cent and are forecast to increase by a further 55 per cent in the next two years.

The seven acre greenfield site at Altham was chosen in 1996 and building working began in July 1997.

By the end of August this year around 200 machines had been transferred from the firm's previous premises in Lower Barnes Street, Clayton-le-Moors.

Lord Shuttleworth, the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, was due to carry out the opening ceremony today.

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