THREE major companies have been shortlisted to take on the new LIFT schemes aimed at improving primary and community health services in East Lancashire.

The East Lancashire Primary Care Trusts announced today that Jarvis Primary Health Ltd (JPH), Bamber Bridge-based Eric Wright Group Ltd and Warrington-based Galliford Try plc had been chosen as the finalists in the bid to be the private sector partner in the Local Improvement Finance Trust scheme.

JPH is part of Jarvis plc, which operates throughout Europe and exports to more than 60 countries.

Eric Wright Group Ltd is based in the North West of England with its registered office in Bamber Bridge.

Galliford Try plc, through its Warrington-based company Galliford Northern, would work closely with Noble Fund Managers Ltd who have a strong track record in health care projects.

Project director Steven Hartley said: "We have now selected a shortlist of three companies. By early March the three companies will have produced draft designs and costings for the new health centres in Nelson, Bacup and Darwen and this work will form an essential part of the assessment of the three companies.

"We expect to be able to choose the preferred partner by early June."

One private firm will be chosen to pay for developing the new centres and to manage them for the next 25 years in return for being paid rent by the Primary Care Trust.