AEROSPACE workers at one of West Craven's largest employers have been given some early Christmas cheer with the launch of a £50 million investment programme.

Plans have been confirmed for a new £20 million-plus ‘centre of excellence’ at Rolls-Royce in Barnoldswick, for its structures and transmissions division, which has been heralded by bosses and union leaders.

Front bearing and tail bearing housings, installed in all the company’s aero engines, will be the focus of the ambitious centre in West Craven.

The announcement is seen as a major boost for staff at the Bankfield and Ghyll Brow plants, which employ more than 1,000 people.

Work also officially began last week on the firm’s £28 million wide chord fan blades facility extension at Bankfield.

Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony, Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “The aerospace sector is vital to our local economy and Rolls-Royce is certainly the jewel in the crown.

“The fan blade facility expansion and the creation of a structures centre of excellence in Barnoldswick is very good news, as the skills and dedication of the Rolls-Royce employees I have met has always hugely impressed me.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the Barnoldswick workforce for their hard work in securing this investment, which will provide a fantastic boost to the local economy.”

Rolls-Royce is looking to double its aero engine production capabilities during the next few years.

About 6,000 of the titanium fan blades should be manufactured at Barnoldswick each year for their Trent XWB model after the upgrade.

Steve Kitson, a manufacturing executive for Rolls-Royce, said: “This will increase capacity to manufacture fan blades for Trent civil aero engines, including the Trent XWB – the world’s most efficient large aero engine and the fastest-selling widebody engine in history.

“In addition, the creation of a first centre of excellence in structures and transmissions on the site means in total we are investing £50 million in Barnoldswick.

“This investment recognises the dedication and flexibility of the Barnoldswick workforce and also demonstrates our commitment to innovative technology and world-class facilities, which will improve performance and drive profitable growth for our business.”

Once completed, after 12,600 square feet metres of spoil are removed from around the existing Bankfield building, it will mean about 18,000 fan blades are produced at the twin sites annually.

Further structural work is required to maintain the integrity of the nearby Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Mark Porter, a senior trade union representative, said: “The multi-million pound investment being made by Rolls-Royce is great news for the hard-working people in Barnoldswick.

“This is testament to the flexibility and commitment shown by the workforce, who are helping to make the facility more competitive in the global manufacturing environment.

“This is also a positive move that will help ensure a future long-term presence at the site.”

The company says it has invested more than £100 million in the Barnoldswick sites during the past three years, with the aim of further increasing an order book that was boosted by a £693 million Virgin Atlantic contract earlier this year.