TEXTILE manufacturers in East Lancashire are being offered the chance to win scholarship places on a course.

The Manufacturing Institute in Manchester is offering the places, worth £6,000, on its Professional Diploma in Manufacturing course.

The diploma course is aimed at people with several years practical manufacturing experience but few formal qualifications.

"The scholarship places are targeted at UK textile manufacturers employing fewer than 500 people and we want to encourage companies who can demonstrate that the skills and knowledge obtained through the diploma will contribute to their future business development," said Dr Julie Madigan, chief executive of the Manufacturing Institute.

Further details are available by email to joannab@tpmi.co.uk