Preston is becoming one of the UK’s leading cities for drone expertise.

The city is flying high after being one of only five cities selected to be a national drone technology test centre.

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Over the next five months national drone experts will be visiting the University of Central Lancashire after the university, partnering with Preston City Council, won the bid.

Aerospace engineering lead at UCLan Dr Darren Ansell said: “The Flying High City challenge is an important opportunity for Preston to develop a vision for the integration of drone systems, building upon its history of aerospace innovation.

“This recognition on a national scale is fantastic; it is putting Preston’s name up in lights and will open doors at the very top levels of the industry.”

Read more: See Preston from above as drone soars over Plungington

Preston was the only city in the North West to be selected – beating dozens of other bidders.

The university is investing heavily in drones with a Civic Drone Centre due to be housed inside the new Engineering Innovation Centre on the Adelphi roundabout.

The bid was backed by the city council.

Read more: Here’s Haslam Park as seen from a drone

Assistant chief executive Derek Whyte said: “Given the importance of aerospace in the area, it is vital that Preston takes a lead on identifying drone opportunities. Preston offers a manageable testing ground for strategy development, yet is of sufficient size and complexity to be able to develop solutions that can be scaled-up elsewhere.”

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