An East Lancashire MP is urging the government to boost skills training in the area as a new strategy centred on Samlesbury Enterprise Zone and The National Cyber Security Force hopes to attract £20 billion of investment to the county.

Hyndburn Tory backbencher Sara Britcliffe tackled cabinet office minister Oliver Dowden on the issue in the House Commons last week.

Her intervention came as Lancashire County Council unveiled its blueprint for the future targeted at building on Lancashire’s reputation as a fulcrum of the Industrial Revolution with a new economic strategy.

One of the central planks of their case will be Samlesbury Enterprise Zone and East Lancashire’s aerospace knowhow.

The National Cyber Security Force is already coming to a site off the A59, joining the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.

East Lancs is already home to the likes of BAE, Rolls Royce, Safran Nacelles, as well as hosting the Northwest Aerospace Alliance at Nelson.

County Hall officials have already submitted an enterprise zone bid, which focuses on the aerospace corridor through East Lancs.

Blackburn with Darwen Council also has plans for hi-tech growth access linking into the enterprise zone.

Ms Britcliffe told cabinet minister Mr Dowden: "As you know the National Cyber Security Centre is to be located in Lancashire, which is a great boost for local high-skilled jobs.

"Do you agree with me that if we are to level up the country, it is important that young people can gain the skills and qualifications they need locally to then feed into these high-skilled jobs?”

Mr Dowden replied: “I thank you for your question and I know what a strong champion you are for the National Cyber Force in Samlesbury.

"Thanks to your efforts and others, 6000 jobs were created just last year and over 52,000 people are now employed in cyber security.

"Crucially more than half of them are outside London and the South East.”