BLACKBURN broke its own record for company formation during the first quarter of the year, according to figures in the latest Duport Business Confidence Report for the town.

The new research from Duport.co.uk has revealed that over the three months to September, there were 259 new companies formed - more than any other third quater on record for the area and a 23 per cent rise on the same period in 2012.

Tthere was also a three per cent drop in company closures during the third quarter, leading to an overall increase in net company growth.

Managing director of Duport.co.uk, Peter Valaitis, said: “The rise in company formations is a fantastic sign that business confidence is on the up in Blackburn, while the drop in closures suggests that trading conditions are improving.”