LEADERS have set themselves a five-year deadline to get an established university in East Lancashire.

MPs have been lobbying for a higher education presence in the area, which has a population of some 500,000, for two years.

Now the East Lancashire Partnership, made up of councils, private sector and public organisation, is to open talks with Lancashire's two universities to see if opening a campus in East Lancashire is a possibility.

At the same time, talks will begin with further education colleges, which already offer a limited range of higher education qualifications, to see if a separate University of East Lancashire can be established.

Dennis Taylor, chief executive of the East Lancashire Partnership, said: "Getting a university here is one of our top priorities and while it is foolish to set timescale, we would like to see one in five years.

"We will look at both options before deciding which one is more likely and pursuing it.

"The North West has around 40 per cent of the country's university places and we want to be part of that.

"Both the University of Central Lancashire in Preston and Lancaster University sit on the Partnership, and they are involved in the area."

Council leaders believe a higher education establishment would have massive economic benefits for the area. Coun Bill Taylor, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and chairman of the Partnership, said: "University areas often retain the students who graduate, which brings added boosts to the economy in a higher-skilled workforce, bringing money into the region at every level.

"Places like Lancaster University and UCLAN have satellite campuses which specialise and East Lancashire has the scope to support a campus which specialises in something.

"For example, we have a strong technology industry, and we are big on aerospace. These are all things we are considering and a higher education establishment is a top priority."

Various forms of government money could be used to subsidise the capital cost of a university, if it can be proven to have a positive impact on regeneration.

Two East Lancashire councils, Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn, received £7million of European funding last year to develop a non-industrial business park which straddles the two boroughs' border.

It will be designed to promote 'incubator units' where graduates with business ideas can receive financial and business advice support. The site has also been earmarked for a possible university campus, although Coun Taylor said: "Wherever it is situated, it will be a priority to make sure it benefits the whole of East Lancashire."

Announcing the £7million project, Hyndburn First, the area's regneration company, director Nigel Rix said: "It is an important step towards getting a university."

Both Hyndburn MP Greg Pope and Pendle MP Gordon Prentice have spoken in favour of the plans.

Sheena Ewing, principal of Blackburn College, said: "We welcome the expansion of higher education opportunities in East Lancashire and expect that they will add to a considerable amount of higher education currently happening in the region.

"At Blackburn College for example we have 4,000 students studying higher education, doing 15 diplomas, 11 foundation degrees and 12 degress including one MBA.

"It's important that local people are given local opportunities."