THE best young aerospace workers in the North West have been honoured.

Winners, including picked up North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) new talent gongs at a ceremony held at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry.

Among the winners was Alan Maguire, of BAE Systems in Samlesbury, who won the best apprentice award.

And Barnoldswick engineer Chris Wilkinson, who works at Burnley-based firm Hycrome, took home the skills gong.

The guest speak at the awards, sponsored by BAE and Rolls-Royce, was former land speed record breaker Richard Noble.

He said: “It’s thrilling to see some of the work going on and to see some of the exciting activities these young people are involved in.”

NWAA chairman Neil McKay added: “There is a major skills gap in the engineering sector which must be filled, and these young award winners represent the future of the industry.”