FINANCE chiefs who severed links with a government scheme to boost foreign trade have agreed to sign up for the scheme again.

Members of Hyndburn's economic development board have decided to spend £750 on the INWARD programme which promotes the North West to attract foreign businesses.

The council withdrew from the programme two years ago after it was claimed the borough was seeing no benefit from splashing out on the scheme.

But members are now keen to form a partnership with other East Lancashire authorities in a bid to get the best from the initiative. Head of economic regeneration Mark Ellison said: "INWARD will form part of the new Regional Development Agency responsible for the North West and it seems appropriate East Lancashire should have membership to benefit."

The agreement includes promotion of the region to North American businesses and will cost East Lancashire's district authorities a total of £5,000 to join.

Coun Bernard Dawson, chairman of the economic development board, said: "Anything that brings investment to East Lancashire would be useful.

"It only takes one new factory and all the boroughs benefit."

Council leader George Slynn added: "The only way to access international trade is through INWARD and we should snap their hand off."

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