ASSESSORS and moderators for a national manufacturing awards competition will be visiting Bombardier's Litchurch Lane factory today.

In July, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers announced that the train-maker was one of 21 UK firms shortlisted for its Manufacturing Excellence Awards.

Bombardier is in the People Effectiveness category.

To qualify, companies conduct an in-depth self-assessment. Judges will visit the firm to verify the work Bombardier does to get the best out of its staff.

Colin Brown, the institutions' director of engineering, said: "Bombardier is a fantastic business that is helping to ensure manufacturing remains at the heart of Derby's economy."

The institution has more than 98,000 members in a diversity of fields such as the automotive, rail, aerospace, medical, power and construction industries.

The winning companies will be announced at the Dorchester in London on November 23.