GE Aerospace has struck a deal to buy British climate technology start-up Satavia, reports Sky News.

The global company, which has a major base in Bishops Cleeve, has snapped up the firm as part of efforts to reduce the aviation industry's environmental impact.

American-based GE Aerospace is a world-leading provider of aircraft engines and has one of its largest sites outside the US in Cheltenham, with more than 1,600 employees.

Satavia, a Cambridge-based company, helps to mitigate the warming effect of aircraft contrail clouds.

Founded in 2013, it was originally conceived in an attempt to protect aircraft engines from harmful substances such as dust, ice and volcanic ash.

It now operates a software subscription service and carbon credits business model which aims to attract 25 airline customers before the end of the decade.

The company, run by chief executive Adam Durant, counts Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi carrier, among its commercial partners.

Punchline has contacted GE Aerospace for a comment.