A GROUP of Chorley workers sowed the seeds of success and earned themselves a special day out at the Millennium Dome.

The BAE Systems staff were recognised for their brainy ideas under a scheme, known as the Chairman's Awards For Innovation.

Each year workers can nominate their colleagues if they feel they have come up with innovative new ideas, developed new technologies, or introduced new processes that have helped improve customer service.

This year more than 1,400 nominations were submitted, of which 41 were specially recognised, and the teams or individuals responsible came together at the Dome to celebrate their achievements.

One group -- Derek Bulloch, Linda Robinson, Lorraine Cowburn, David Privett, Roy Staines, Linda Wilson and Lynda Wilkins -- were nominated for the ecological development of the area around the Royal Ordnance site, at Euxton.

It included an organised seed pick by site volunteers and local cubs, scouts and guides. The seeds were then germinated by a local charity for purchase by developers, Chorley employees and local residents.

A second group -- Alan Weedon and Mandy Bell -- were nominated for developing the first working example of SMART Procurement. The 10-year agreement is for the supply of munitions worth £1 billion, giving, says BAE SYSTEMS, a stable base on which to work and plan for the future. Dave Gardner, director of engineering at BAE Systems, said: "This is a fantastic idea which will be of huge significance to the future of the company. They are rightly being honoured for both their creativity and commitment."

Company chairman Sir Richard Evans said: "I am always amazed by the ideas and innovation of our staff and its great to be able to recognise their skills, actions and behaviours which make BAE Systems the world leading business it is today."

The company chose the Dome because both the structure and its contents are acknowledged for their innovation. The Mind Zone is the world's first living building, featuring an artificial nervous system provided by fibre optic technology, developed by BAE Systems. It was designed by previous Chairman's Awards winners.