Five Pendle businesses have been given grants totalling more than £100,000 to future-proof their systems and create new jobs.

The businesses have benefited from the money provided by the Business Resilience and Growth Project – a £2 million funding pot for local businesses.

The project is one of seven within the £25m Nelson Town Deal, designed to promote sustainable growth within the area, transform the town, and provide opportunities for local people.

A total of £107,000 has been awarded to the five businesses.

The Furniture Group in Railway Street, has been given £13,000 to buy a CNC machine which uses computer software to dictate the movement of factory tools.

The machine will enable them to employ a new member of staff and safeguard the work of three existing staff.

The same purchase for Agenda Boxes & Packaging in Clayton Street, worth £32,000, will secure 10 jobs and open up three new employment opportunities.

Six jobs will be created, and three retained, at Aspire UK Interiors in Southfield Street, with the grant funded purchase of a hot oil press and wrapping machine, worth £17,000.

At Concept Plastics in the Barnfield Business Centre, an £18,000 injection moulding machine will create two jobs and safeguard four.

Finally Pennine Labels, in Enterprise Way on Whitewalls Industrial Estate, received funding of £27,000 to purchase a new print machine, which will save six jobs and create four new ones.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “It is wonderful to see well-known local businesses coming forward for support.

“The grants are here to enable them to grow and prosper in Pendle and we are happy we have been able to support them through the Nelson Town Deal.”

Stephen Barnes, chair of the Nelson Town Deal board, said: “To see these five local companies benefitting from the grants is extremely positive, especially when the money can help secure jobs and even create new ones, boosting the local economy.

“We have grants of up to £100,000 available for businesses to invest in new machinery, or to carry out improvements to support growth.”

Mike Williams, Pendle Council’s tourism and economic development officer, added: “It’s not too late to seek funding – we’ve broadened the eligibility criteria which means that the grants are now open to all sectors of businesses in Nelson.

“We’re keen to hear from any of the town’s businesses that have potential projects that could be supported.”