BOLTON Institute is to carry out an aircraft safety study for the European Commission.

The issue is top of the agenda for governments concerned with the threat of further international terrorism in the wake of the attacks in America on September 11.

An engineering research team, headed by Dr Clive Chirwa from Bolton Institute, will report to the Commission on modern structural and passenger protection technologies for enhanced aircraft safety.

It will also explore new technologies to improve the interior safety of aircraft and passengers.

The findings will be used to formulate European policy on aircraft safety.

Bolton Institute is receiving funding worth £16,500 for the project.

Dr Chirwa is an internationally-recognised expert in his field and is the editor-in-chief of the worldwide technical journal The International Journal of Crashworthiness.

He has advised the UK Government on issues concerning aircraft, rail and road vehicle crashes.

He said: "This is a great honour for Bolton Institute to be assigned this important task by the European Commission."

Dr Chirwa said the international recognition followed other research studies presented to the Commission.

The research group, which consists of Dr Clive Chirwa, Mr Jim Latchford and Mr Paul Clavell, has previously been called on by companies such as British Aerospace, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Rover and Jordan Grand Prix.

In-house modern testing facilities are available to industry for use at a small cost.