A NEW community and economic regeneration programme is to be pioneered in Rossendale, thanks to £250,000-worth of funding.

The programme will involve recruiting 50 people to be part of a local group called Passion at Work in Rossendale, whose aim is to capture and develop the passion, imagination and resources of local people.

The Valley will become the first in Western Europe to adopt the approach to development.

The new group is to be chaired by local businessman Ronnie Barker, managing director of footwear manufacturers E Sutton and Sons Ltd, of Bacup.

A team from the Sirolli Institute will support and train the representatives to form a management board to develop the community's ability to develop and grow entrepreneurship.

The initiative is to be funded through a partnership with Rossendale Borough Council, Accrington and Rossendale College, private businesses and the Single Regeneration budget.

Rob Carder, Business Link for East Lancashire's marketing and development manager, said: "We were very impressed with the enthusiastic welcome businesses, the local authority and community leaders gave to the ideas of Sirolli.

"Their approach to community and economic development in other parts of the world has been very successful, helping create and support dozens of successful new business ventures."