A KEY component of East Lancashire’s aerospace revolution can slot into place after the green light was signalled by county councillors.

Blueprints for Samlesbury’s £15million advanced manufacturing centre (AMRC) have won Lancashire County Council’s cabinet’s seal of approval.

Work is now expected to begin on the ambitious project, which has been funded by the government’s Growth Fund scheme, next year.

And if everything goes according to plan with the facility, a partnership with the University of Sheffield, the AMRC should be operational by 2020.

Edwin Booth, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) chairman, said: “The proposed AMRC at Samlesbury is a very exciting project with the potential to transform the way many Lancashire manufacturers, especially small and medium sized enterprises, approach the way they do business.

“We therefore welcome the fact that with this decision it has taken a further step forward. The LEP will now continue to work closely with the council, local partners, and with the AMRC team in Sheffield, to progress the initiative.”

Part of the fledgling Samlesbury Enterprise Zone, one of its future supporters BAE Systems, is based nearby and has a skills and knowledge academy on-site.

Wincanton also has its 15,000 square metre defence logistics centre within the zone.

Aerospace giants such as Rolls Royce and Aircelle are also expected to come on board with the centre, which is aiming to be recognised as a centre of research and development excellence, while improving productivity within the industry’s supply chain.

In September a new link road, connecting the A677 Preston New Road with the A59, was unveiled, which was designed to relieve some of the pressure on main roads into Blackburn and the Ribble Valley.