A CASH injection means that jobs at a Nelson biscuit factory have been safeguarded and more staff are to be taken on.

Pendle Partnership will help create 16 new jobs at Farmhouse Biscuits in Nelson as a result of a £15,000 Business Support Grant.

The grant, together with more than £265,000 of the company's own money and £15,000 for the European Regional development Fund, will also contribute to the long-term security of the business in the Pendle area and 173 existing jobs.

The money will help Farmhouse Biscuits with the construction of a new extension and the purchase of a new oven. These facilities will help the company to continue to expand and satisfy future demand.

Company managing director Phillip McIvor said: "This grant will help us to overcome our insufficient capacity and help to meet increasing demand for our products, which will secure the long-term future.

"Our aim is controlled growth and an increase in net profit to justify the investment in new premises, plant and equipment, and the employment of additional staff.

"With the manufacturing economy in its current state we were struggling to justify this investment on our own."

The 873 square metre extension at their existing Brook Street premises in Nelson will help to increase efficiency and production capacity.

By the end of the year eight new jobs will have been created and by July 2004 this will rise to 16.

The grants were secured with help and support from Pendle Council's Regeneration Unit.

Pendle Partnership hopes the grants will halt manufacturing decline in Pendle and in particular overcome the difficulties faced by local firms in investing in new industrial stock. By providing relatively small financial incentives the partnership hopes that jobs can be created and the physical deterioration of industrial premises reversed.

Pendle Partnership chairman, Dennis Mendoros said: "Pendle Partnership wants to regenerate the area by supporting local job creation.

"By assisting Farmhouse Businesses with their new investment we can help create 16 new jobs.

"Farmhouse Biscuits are a successful local company operating in a growth market. By helping them to increase production capacity and efficiency we will secure a long-term future for over 173 jobs and the prospect of sustainable growth."

Pendle Partnership is an alliance of organisations and people from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors committed to making life better in Pendle

Information about the Business Support Initiative is available from John Halton in Pendle Council's Economic Regeneration Unit on 01282 661 679.