A project spearheaded by Renishaw will benefit from a share of almost £90million of government funding for innovative aerospace projects.

The Government said the five projects which will benefit from the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme could secure around 1,400 jobs.

Precision engineering firm Renishaw, based near Wotton-under-Edge, is leading the LAMDA project to develop a 3D metal printing machine which would mass produce smaller components for aircraft.

The Large Scale Additive Manufacturing for Defence and Aerospace project will receive a £26.4million investment over four years.

Manufacturing would take place in South Wales.

Total investment for the projects, which also include a Bristol-based consortium involving GKN Aerospace to develop lightweight, composite technology, would be £88.7million.

The funding would include £44.1million from the Government and £44.6million from industry with Airbus at Filton receiving £10.6million over three years for its Smarter Testing to develop a test and certification process.

Minister for Business Paul Scully said: "This multi-million pound cash injection will safeguard vital jobs and support the aerospace sector as it build back stronger after the pandemic.

"Manufacturing is at the very heart of UK industry and innovative processes will ensure that the UK is at the forefront of global efforts as we develop technology that can power a green aviation revolution."