BUSINESS in Blackburn is booming with the town emerging as one of the UK's top locations for industry and commerce.

According to a national survey released today, Blackburn is the most prosperous town for business in the North West.

And in a national league table of Britain's 140 most profitable towns and cities, Blackburn has soared to tenth place, joining places such as Brighton, York, Harrogate, Weybridge and Cheltenham among the elite.

In just two years, Blackburn has rocketed up the profits table from 155th place to its highest-ever ranking. The rise mirrors Blackburn's improvement in a national shopping centre league announced last month when the town took 129th place -- up 21 places on its 2001 performance -- and ahead of Burnley which dropped back to 160th.

Councillor Ashley Whalley, the man behind the regeneration of Blackburn, was delighted with the announcement that the town is now in the premier league for business success.

"This is excellent news for Blackburn," said Coun Whalley, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. "It justifies all the hard work that has been put into the regeneration of the town and confirms the long-term commitment to the development of the local economy.

"However, now is not a time for complacency. We must push on, maintain and increase this position."

The survey, by business information specialists D&B, looked at the accounts of the largest 50,000 companies in the country. The league table was based on the percentage of companies reporting a profit. Of the 92 top businesses located in Blackburn, 73 were making a profit, giving the town a percentage of 79.3 per cent which was enough to clinch a top ten spot. In 2001, Blackburn was in 49th place and, in the previous year, the town was struggling in 155th spot.

According to D&B, Blackburn's most profitable companies include brewers Daniel Thwaites and Initial Electronic Security Systems.

Burnley is the only other East Lancashire town to feature in the rankings, taking 137th place with a score of 62.7 per cent, down from 103rd place in 2001 and joint 54th in 2000.