LIVES will be saved by an award-winning new military initiative developed in North Yorkshire, a local mechanic has said.

Military and civilian officers have been working together at RAF Linton-on-Ouse to develop an early warning system to avoid planes colliding.

They have now been awarded a prestigious safety award for the work.

Civilian engineer Chris Metcalf, of VT Aerospace, one of the four men to be awarded the LG Groves Flight Safety award, said: "This has got to be the way forward for flight safety.

"It is very, very useful. There's a history in aviation of aircraft not seeing each other.

"The beauty of this equipment is that it will go a long way down the path to preventing accidents and saving lives."

Mr Metcalf was born and brought up in Knaresborough but now lives in Harrogate.

"It was very interesting to work on this project," he said. "It was different, a measurable achievement, and it is good to have the local recognition."

Flight Lieutenant Paul Skelton said: "The system gives notice of other aircraft, which can be vital if flying in bad weather which can make it difficult to see.

"It works on a range of 12 to 15 miles, which might give a warning of 20 seconds for crews to assess and take appropriate avoiding action."

The system has been tested on two Tucano aircraft.

Work is now under way to find funding to roll it out to the rest of the Tucano fleet, with the possibility of it being offered to the rest of the RAF's planes.

Flt Lt Andy Curtis and engineer John McNamee also worked on the project. The four men have donated the £1,000 they received for their project to children's charities.

Updated: 08:45 Friday, December 12, 2003