A LANCASHIRE manufacturer of aircraft components has become one of the first companies in the UK to gain a new safety qualification.

Brookhouse Composites, of Darwen, has been awarded the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) qualification.

The EASA was set up in September 2003 to improve safety throughout Europe.

, and the new qualification allows the company to manufacture components in compliance with EU airworthiness codes.

has become one of the first in the UK to gain the new European Aviation Safety Agency qualification.come one of the first companies in the UK to gain approval under the new