AN aerospace firm has received a safety award.

Cobham, which operates from Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA), picked up its fourth consecutive Gold Award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA).

The awards scrutinise an organisation’s health and safety arrangements, looking at management systems and leadership.

Rob Pendle, Cobham general manager, said: “To receive the award four times in a row is a fantastic achievement and reflects a collective effort to ensure a safe working environment.”

Earlier this year, The Northern Echo revealed Cobham was switching flight inspection services from DTVA to Bournemouth Airport, with up to 30 posts at risk of redundancy.

However, bosses, who employ about 50 North-East workers, confirmed it will continue operating in the region, providing training for the Ministry of Defence.

Cobham uses Dassault Falcon 20 aircraft that operate equipment emulating jammed radar and communication systems and work as targets for gun and missile firing.