AVIATION bosses in East Lancashire were today celebrating after winning a prestigious 10-year contract to provide support to Tornado jets.

The Secondary Power System allows the aircraft's hydraulic and mechanical systems to be operated and tested without running the engines, said BAE bosses.

Under the £76million contract, BAE will take responsibility for the entire system at the firm's Samlesbury site.

Bosses said the contract was a result of a partnership approach developed by the RAF and BAE staff at Samlesbury and Warton.

The company's Tornado joint integrated project team leader Martin Blaze said: "Our record of delivering on support contracts has proved our ability to support our customers' capability while providing value-fo-money solutions."