EXTRA cash is being allocated to ensure Pendle's next Sir Alan Sugars and Richard Bransons are given their big break in the business world.

Council chiefs have identified a £320,000 fighting fund which will enable young entrepeneurs and older business heads to secure lower cost rented office space within the borough.

The main priority for the scheme will be to promote the use of business space now vailable within Nelson's newly-constructed ACE Centre in Cross Street.

Under the proposals, rental support will be on offer for fledgling firms until March 2011. An alternative location, the West Craven Resource Centre in Barnoldswick, could also be offered to businesses in that part of the borough.

Part of the efforts will be assisted by the appointment of a new 'employer engagement officer' by the authority.

Using £1.82million from Whitehall's Working Neighbourhood's Fund various ventures will be supported to battle worklessness, encourage community cohesion and tackle violent extremism in 2009-10.

Another top priority is encouraging young people to enrol for the Modern Apprentices initiative in the community, and assisting gradutes into employment, with £160,000 set aside by town hall bosses.

This summer is likely to see the launch of a joint project with Lancashire County Council, backed by local firms, to provide more apprenticeship opportunities in the Nelson, Colne and West Craven areas.

In a cabinet report, assistant chief executive George Dodds says: "We've held informal discussions with some private sector employers who are showing a willingness to provide opportunities for young people.

"We are also looking at ways to create chances for people who are older and trying to re-enter employment or retrain.

"We expect to create at least two graduate opportunities as part of the overall work."