A MILLION pound windfall could soon forge stronger links between the University of Central Lancashire and businesses in the area.

Earlier this month UCL was awarded £1,100,000 in a £22million windfall programme, handed out by the Departments of Trade and Industry and Education and Employment.

Last month the area's six MPs launched a campaign to develop a university in East Lancashire to help keep jobs and produce new high paid employment.

UCL is one of 50 universities to benefit from the money and Paul Heald, director of business service at the university, said it will be used to work with local firms.

The university intends to forge new business partnerships in East Lancashire and across the county to exchange ideas and information.

Teaching company schemes, involving the university and local companies, will be set up and the university also intends to establish a one-stop shop for business, streamlining the inquiry process by creating a dedicated call centre with on-line services. Mr Heald said: "We focused our bid on improving the ways in which we reach out and interact with the business community and we are delighted that it has been so successful.

"We already have an established commercial strategy and this funding will enable us to engage further with the regional and national economy and to develop more innovative and effective services to business."

UCL bosses have already expressed their interest, and plans, to develop a research and development in East Lancashire, possibly linked to one of the further education colleges, which would provide a definite link between the university and local businesses.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope is setting up a conference in Accrington with Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers, industrialists, academics, and union leaders as well as other interested parties to discuss how to ensure prosperity in the area.

And a key element in the discussions will be steps to set up a research and development facility in East Lancashire.