A TEAM of aerospace engineers from Chalfont St Peter saw the fruits of their labour when the Airbus A380 took to the sky.

Key components in the wings of the plane were designed and made at Verdict Aerospace Components Ltd in Chiltern Hill.

The close-knit team of 54 employees has been working hard over the last few months and are very proud that their parts helped the world's largest aircraft complete its maiden flight.

Jason Addis, sales and marketing director of Verdict Aerospace said: "It was fabulous to see it fly. In terms of risk-sharing in the project itself, all the investment, all the effort has paid off.

"It's a great thing to see the whole thing come together."

The long-awaited test lasted four hours and was broadcast live on television and online.

Staff at the factory were able to watch the historic flight on the internet and enjoyed a more relaxed day at work, knowing their parts did the job.

The plane took off from the production plant in Toulouse with six crew and around 20 tonnes of testing equipment.

Verdict's role in the Airbus project is to manufacture around 1,500 individual parts and assemblies for the main wings.

These are then transported to Airbus UK in Filton and Chester for assembly before being dispatched to Toulouse where everything is put together.

The Airbus seats more than 500 people and will be fitted with the very latest technology including full interactive communication services, such as email and mobile phones.

Virgin Atlantic and Singapore airlines are planning to add casinos, gyms, double beds and bars.

The plane will undergo more than a year of thorough testing before passengers will be welcomed on board Mr Addis said: "It was a fantastic day for all of us. It has given us a lot of confidence. Airbus has secured future orders, they have 169 aircraft on order and there are more in the pipeline.

"It really was a momentous day for everyone here."

Mr Addis and other representatives of the company will attend the Paris airshow in June where the airbus will be on display.