A UNIVERSITY student has been given the chance to put his engineering knowhow into real-life applications - thanks to an East Lancashire firm.

Edward Cook, a mechanical engineering undergraduate, has been working with Rossendale-based Weston Handling Consultancy (WHC) on a new control box for forklift trucks and mobile work platforms.

And he is now completing his dissertation on 'retrofit anti-crush system for pedestrian controlled lift truck', based on his contributions at the Haslingden firm.

Chief executive Steve Weston said: "For the last year Edward has been a valued member of the WHC team.

"He is a talented and intelligent young engineer and has been integral in helping develop a control box for our products.

"I'm both delighted and flattered that Edward is now writing his dissertation based on his experiences with us, and the safety innovations we have invented for the materials handling industry.

"I'm looking forward to reading the finished version and will ensure we have a number of copies in our office as well as publishing it on our website."

WHC has made a name for itself over the past few years with a range of retro-fitted safety systems, for forklifts and powered pedestrian trucks.

The company, located off Grane Road, has now added a new safety mechanism for access Platforms to its range - The A-R-C-Angel - which protects the operator from both entrapment and crush injuries whilst the vehicle is reversing and/or the platform is being raised.