BUSINESS leaders in Lancaster are being urged to put their full weight behind county council plans for a new M6 link road to Morecambe.

A united front is the only way to ensure progress on building the long-awaited route, says David Taylor, the new President of Lancaster District Chamber of Commerce.

Lancashire County Council is expected to announce its decision on the preferred route for the road soon, following environmental studies.

Mr Taylor says Lan-caster's business people should back the county - whatever option is chosen.

"Let us hope for and campaign for the road to proceed, whether north or west of the city, and not get delayed further by division within the District," he told members at the chamber's annual meeting at Morecambe's Strathmore Hotel.

More than 70 business members voted for Mr Taylor, a partner of Irvine Taylor chartered surveyors, to be the new president.

He spoke of his hope to strengthen links with the other local chambers to create a louder voice for business in the region.

The chamber's four serving directors re-elected at the meeting are David Atkinson, of David Frank, Jerry North of St Nicholas Arcades, Sheen Marsden of Askam Construction and Stephen Riches of Lancaster University.