The GA22, a 22-metre long airship developed by Swedish balloonist Per Lindstrand, uses technology created by experts at defence giant BAE Systems' based in Warton, near Preston.

This video shows it taking off for the first time in a hangar at Lindstrand Technologies' test facility in Birkenhead, near Liverpool.

It will use technology developed by BAE for its HERTI unmanned plane to make the GA22 completely unmanned to carry hi-tech surveillance equipment for use in covering sporting events or for monitoring disaster zones.

Richard Williams, director of Civil Autonomous Systems at BAE, said: "Although significantly smaller than the majority of its competitors, the GA22 can deliver the same level of performance.

"It is easily transportable and does not need an airfield or runway to operate from.

"It only needs three ground operators to manage the airship and the required skill level of the flight operator and the cost of flying it is lower than an equivalent conventional aircraft."

He said that the GA22 was "ideally positioned" to open up a range of potential new markets for the company.

The next stage of its development is to use BAE's technologies to make the airship pilotless.

The firm employs 11,500 people at its bases in Warton and Samlesbury, near Preston.

>> Vote in our latest web poll