THE Prime Minister of Malta is to officially open the new head offices of a Padiham-based transport firm.

Dr Lawrence Gonzi is to visit East Lancashire on Friday, January 12, when he will officially open the new Fraser Eagle offices, Pendle Court, Shuttleworth Mead Business Park.

The event, to open the £1.8million facility, is part of a three-day visit to Lanca-shire for the prime minister.

He will also attend an assembly at Hapton Primary School and watch Blackburn Rovers play Arsenal in the Premiership on January 13.

Fraser Eagle were able to attract Dr Gonzi to East Lancashire thanks to their links to Malta, where they have a control centre, opened by the dignitary last July.

Kevin Dean, Fraser Eagle's group managing director, said: "We are delighted to be welcoming Dr Lawrence Gonzi to perform the official opening of our Padiham home.

"This visit will further improve the relationship we have established with Malta over the last 12 months and bolster the international profile enjoyed by our business community here in East Lancashire.

"We hope the Prime Minister will enjoy his stay in the county and we will certainly be showing him the best of what Lancashire has to offer."

Fraser Eagle Group moved into the state-of-the-art building during December from property it had been renting elsewhere on the business park following its relocation from Accrington in 2005.

It is the final part of over £4million investment by the firm in property at Shuttleworth Mead and puts all of the 180 head-office staff on one site.

Fraser Eagle Group opened a second control centre in the Maltese city of Mosta to give it dual control of its UK transport operations.

Having control centres in both means Fraser Eagle can continue operating if there is a system failure at either site.