HUNDREDS of hi tech-jobs are set to come to East Lancashire with the creation of a new North West “Digital Health Park” close to the M65.

It will concentrate on developing the latest IT-based and telecare products to help improve hospital care and enable the elderly and unwell to be looked after at home.

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The new scheme has been welcomed as a major boost to employment by Blackburn with Darwen council leader Kate Hollern and Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson.

Plans have been submitted to Chorley Council for the Digital Health Park on land off Euxton Lane, close to the M6, M65 , M61 and Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital.

It hopes to employ up to 700 highly-skilled IT and health-related workers.

Businesses ranging from individual start-ups to high-tech global companies would develop the digital products and services needed in the health sector.

The scheme was developed between Euxton Lane Developments Ltd, Chorley Council, North West Coast Academic Health Sciences Network and the Preston-based Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust.

Cllr Hollern, Labour General Election candidate for Blackburn, said: “This is really good news for the whole of East Lancashire.

“These are just the sort of high-tech jobs we need, which people in Blackburn and Darwen can easily travel to.

“The borough council is investing heavily in telecare equipment to enable elderly and other people to live safely in their homes .”

Tory MP Mr Stephenson said: “This is excellent news.

“These are just the sort of jobs we need and which people in Pendle and East Lancashire an easily access using the M65.

“The digital and healthcare sectors are growth areas for good, well-paid employment.”

Ken Whitaker, from Euxton Lane Developments Ltd, said: “This development could secure hundreds of skilled IT and health jobs. and also attract the leading businesses, meeting the aspirations of the regional health bodies to create a good hub like this in the North West.”