Thank you and good-BAE

THE end of an era for aviation in Oldham dawned this morning as the last employees waved goodbye on their final day at BAE Systems in Chadderton.

Once home to great aircraft including the Lancaster Bomber. Hundreds were set to gather outside the factory’s gates in Greengate for a “banging out” ceremony at noon today, giving the 73-year-old site an almighty send-off.

Don’t miss Monday’s Chronicle for emotional pictures of the closure