THE next generation of East Lancashire entrepreneurs is set to be given a helping hand thanks to the award of £23million of Government cash.

Money for Pennine Lancashire' would be used to support the setting up of more than 1,270 business over the next three years - double the number which would be usually expected to spring up in that time.

Bosses hope it would also see the creation of more than 4,000 jobs.

A bid for the money by Blackburn with Darwen Council, on behalf of itself and Burnley, Hyndburn and Pendle councils, for the second round of Local Enterprise Growth Ini-tiative (LEGI) grants was expected to be approved today.

It comes after a bid for the first round of LEGI money failed in February.

Council chiefs expect to be successful this time because the government had given them better feedback, with ministers saying they liked the creativity of the proposal.

Bosses said the money would be spent creating a culture of enterprise' in East Lancashire, a region where people traditiona-lly worked for large employers like Philips in Blackburn and Michelin in Burnley, which have closed down.

The scheme would focus on helping business start-ups with small grants, mentoring, spec-ial training and working in schools to encourage youngsters to start their own companies.

It is hoped that if the scheme is given the go-ahead it would then be extended for 10 years, subject to central government reviews.

The initiative would also work with Blackburn Rovers, Burnley FC and Accrington Stanley to help use interest in football to help grab attention.

It is also hoped administrative support for people like gardeners and mobile hairdressers could be based in housing market renewal areas.