A HIGH-FLYING executive, currently based in Germany, has been appointed to boost Lancashire's aerospace industry.

Michael Clifford, currently deputy managing director of Panavia in Munich, has been appointed chief executive officer of the Consortium of Lancashire Aerospace.

Panavia is a management company set up to oversee the three-nation Tornado project, with a 42.5 per cent stake held by British Aerospace.

But Mr Clifford, who is from St Annes, will fly home to Lancashire to start his new job as head of the Consortium from November 1.

The Consortium, based on the Clayton Business Park at Clayton-le-Moors, represents over 130 companies in the aerospace and high technology engineering industries in the county.

The companies involved range from British Aerospace and Rolls Royce to small sub-contractors, representing an industry worth £3.7 billion and 40,000 jobs last year.

Mr Clifford, married with two children, will also draw on his experience as a former purchasing director for British Aerospace.

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