BOSSES at Slingsby Aviation are making crucial changes to their bid to win a contract from the Government to build RAF training planes.

Managing director Jeff Bevan said the Kirkbymoorside-based company, which produces the Slingsby Firefly, was currently in the process of drawing up two new contracts which will be sent to the Government at the end of the month.

Mr Bevan would not confirm whether their new bid, to replace the current training craft used by the British Armed Forces, would be lower, but said: "We are looking seriously about what we can do to make ourselves look more attractive."

The aircraft manufacturer, which employs just under 150 people, has been waiting more than six months for the Government to make a decision.

Its only rival for the contract is a German aircraft.

The Government's delay in making a decision has meant that four people were made redundant from Slingsby last month, and up to 60 more jobs could be lost if they fail to win the order.

Mr Bevan added the company was still looking very carefully at whether any more jobs would have to go.

He said: "We don't want to make any more people redundant, and obviously it helps us if we know there is going to be an announcement date.

"If we know that the Government is going to make a decision some time in March it helps us to be more upbeat about the situation and it tells us where we are going."

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