AN East Lancashire commercial vehicle sales, rental, repair and maintenance firm is seeking to expand.

Lynch Truck Services in Barnfield Way on Altham Business Park wants to expand its existing workshop, and build a new brake testing facility.

The firm - East Lancashire's authorised DAF dealer - offers vehicle sales, truck hire, 24-hour servicing, repair and maintenance for commercial vehicles.

It employs 45 staff and has a fleet of rental vehicles from 7.5 tonnes to 44 tonnes and sells new and used vehicles.

The firm has applied to Hyndburn Council for planning permission for its new development.

A supporting statement submitted with the application says: "Lynch Truck Services has seen increased demand for its truck maintenance services.

"As such they are seeking permission to extend the existing workshop at the site to facilitate the additional service bays.

"The company are also finding that there is an increase in demand for brake testing to commercial vehicles.

"The application further seeks permission for a standalone brake testing facility with two service bays within a detached industrial unit at the existing site.

"The site is surrounded by other industrial buildings and car parking.

"The site is within the grounds of Altham Industrial Estate and the proposed development will be situated between other industrial buildings of a similar nature.

"The current buildings house an engineering workshop and administration and warehousing area.

"There is a yard to the front and side of the development.

"The western end of the yard will accommodate the new brake testing facility but will continue to be used for utility, storage and service access.

"There are 40 existing parking spaces for 36 staff over two shifts and no plans to increase this.

"The site is currently served by an existing access off Barnfield Way.

"The proposals include relocation of this access further to the west to allow space to accommodate extension to the workshop.

"The principle of the development has already been established via the surrounding industrial park and previous industrial uses approved to units elsewhere within the Altham Industrial Estate.

"The proposed development will contribute to the overall regeneration of the wider surrounding area.

"The proposed building has been designed and is to be constructed in materials to match that of the surrounding units."