ROSSENDALE Council is to review planning procedures and make extra effort to attract government and European funding in a bid to boost the local economy.

A meeting to allow employers, business representatives and training organisations to discuss the proposals will be held on for December 3.

Councillors want to work out how best to attract companies to the area and to help new and existing firms.

Leader Councillor Graham Pearson said: "We are inviting all the major employers and organisations such as Business Link and the Chamber of Commerce along to help us develop a policy on economic development.

"We intend to become more business-friendly as part of the new start for Rossendale Council. We will ask how we can be of more assistance and for help with a strategy for encouraging entrepreneurs.

"Planning procedure may be part of that as will a more proactive approach to training and winning cash grants."