A SCHEME said to have created almost 1,000 new businesses in East Lancashire has been presented with a national award by Dragon’s Den star Peter Jones.

No Limits, the business development campaign set up by town halls, was judged to be the most enterprising programme in the North West.

The Enterprising Britain award is made by Enterprise UK, an organisation that promotes entrepreneurship.

Steve Hoyle, No Limits director, said: “This is tremendous recognition for No Limits.

“But it also recognises Pennine Lancashire’s many entrepreneurs, who have committed to their enterprising ideas and started a business.

“So far, we have helped to create, created, or saved, more than 3,000 jobs, and supported more than 1,200 businesses.”

A key part of No Limits has been the development of ‘enterprise havens’, places where new and fledgling businesses can find workspace, support and advice.

So far, havens have been built at Nelson’s ACE Centre, at Turf Moor in Burnley, at Ewood Park’s enterprise centre, Blackburn, and at the Blackburn Enterprise Centre.

A new enterprise haven for Accrington, in the town’s market hall, will open in January.