TODAY'S announcement that 600 new jobs are on the way to Padiham is great news for a borough badly battered by economic problems over the past few years.

Manufacturing industry has been hard hit with factory closures causing widespread job losses as foreign competitors with lower labour costs woo multi national companies.

When individuals lose their jobs the effect trickles down right through the community with shops and all kinds of sales operations being adversely affected by the loss of spending power.

As time goes on it also becomes harder to attract new jobs to an area dogged by depression and that's why those involved in helping Homeloan Management of Skipton decide to open new premises at Shuttleworth Mead deserve particular praise.

The development - which could mean the company is the borough's fifth largest employer in two years time - is also another feather in the cap for those who have ensured that the benefits of the M65 corridor have been marketed to great effect.

Recent job announcements in Blackburn with Darwen and the new factories and warehouses that can be seen on a drive from Blackburn to Colne are testament to that.

The new jobs also involve white collar administrative work -- a type of employment East Lancashire has traditionally lacked in comparison with other parts of the country.