AN airbase has won an award for a public-private safety initiative.

Since 2002, military and civilian engineers at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, near York, have collaborated on a system which warns of potential mid-air collisions.

The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is the first of its kind to be used by the RAF. Staff at the base are fitting its fleet of 70 Tucanos with TCAS.

The planes will be able to spot other aircraft within a 35-mile radius and provide information on the aircraft's height, range, bearing and closure rate. An aural warning will also sound if there is a collision threat.

Station commander Group Captain Andy Sudlow, said: "Before TCAS, pilots had to rely on their eyes to spot other aircraft. Although they are adept at doing this, the Skywatch system will give them an invaluable safety tool."

Bombardier-Shorts, of Bel-fast, the design authority for the Tucano, is responsible for making the system compatible with the aircraft, while VT Aerospace, the contract engineers at Linton, will undertake procurement and installation.

An RAF design team at the base retains overall control to ensure the programme fully meets service requirements.

The partners have been awarded the LG Groves Memorial Prize for Air Safety which is awarded for the most important contribution towards the safety of aircraft and flying personnel.