The Eurofighter project has been hit by further delays after a development craft crashed in Spain.

The first craft was due to be delivered to the RAF this week - 16 years after designers first started work.

But the crashing of the DA6 craft in Spain in November has prompted fresh concerns at the Ministry of Defence about the Eurofighter's design.

The project affects 16,000 jobs in the UK and is regarded by analysts as crucial to the aerospace industry.

The industry is desperate for a major contract - we cannot afford not to have the Eurofighter Dennis Mendoros, North West Aerospace Alliance

The Eurofighter Typhoon will be assembled at BAE Systems plants in Warton and Samlesbury, Lancashire, and also affects smaller firms contracted to work on the project.

But the first craft is now only expected to be delivered to the RAF by June 2003 at the earliest.

Unions have told the BBC they are worried more delays on the project could result in job losses.

The MoD is understood to have concerns about a number of design issues, data on flight safety and performance and has said it cannot rule out more delays.

Dennis Mendoros, of the North West Aerospace Alliance which represents smaller manufacturers, said the industry needed the project to succeed.

Eurofighter will be assembled at BAE Systems in Warton

He said: "Undoubtedly the economy of the North West would be the major beneficiary of this project.

"The industry is desperate for a major contract - we cannot afford not to have the Eurofighter."

Michael Jack MP (Con), whose Fylde constituency is home to many BAE Systems workers, said the delay was regrettable but understandable.

He added: "I think it's always worrying when a fighter plane doesn't stick to its agreed timetable for its in-service date.

"But it's a complex project and, given what happened to one of the project's prototypes crashing in Spain, I think the message is better safe than sorry."

The current delay is the latest in a long series of setbacks to the project since designers first began work.