NIGEL Rix - the man charged with regenerating the economy of Hyndburn - jokes that he should have been a property developer. The one-time council officer is now the urbane director of Hyndburn First, a company set up by the local authority with the key role of bringing new industry and jobs into the borough.

He puts the development of new industrial and commercial property right at the top of the job creation agenda.

And the council has chosen an advanced public-private partnership approach as the vehicle to deliver the factories and offices that will open up new employment opportunities.

It established Globe Enterprise, a joint venture company with entrepreneur Stuart Nevison and Barnfield Construction to develop new workspace.

"We are in competition with Blackburn and Burnley," he said. "We had no intention of being a pale imitation of our neighbours so we decided to do things differently."

The company's first project was the redevelopment of the Globe Centre, the former Platt Saco Lowell complex that once employed thousands of people in Accrington.

The scheme was completed in 1999 and is now the base for more than 30 companies, which together employ more than 1,000 people. It also houses a 10-bedroom hotel and restaurant, run by the catering department of Accrington and Rossendale College.

Mr Rix says that the success of the Globe Centre in attracting companies like Airtours and fast-growing travel firm Fraser Eagle has vindicated the approach.

"We have helped to create a business environment that has attracted companies to Accrington that have historically never been represented in the town," he said. "When we completed the Globe, we found we had created a profitable joint venture company that could invest in the further business needs of Hyndburn."

Traditional economic development services such as advice and practical assistance for small to medium-sized companies has taken a back seat. Outside of its property interests, Hyndburn part-finances an 'e-envoy' to help companies with ICT requirements and supports the Hyndburn Enterprise Trust which works with start-up companies. "Increasingly, our emphasis on economic development is in association with partner organisations," he said. "The small business adviser role is very much in the hands of Business Link."

Another Globe Enterprises project under way is the £3.5 million new cinema and ten pin bowling centre in Accrington. The company is also redeveloping Scaitcliffe House, which it will be leasing to the council for use as offices. Norden Court at Great Harwood, redeveloped for industrial use from old mill buildings, is another example of what Mr Rix sees as best use of Hyndburn's scarce resources.

Hyndburn Borough Council is now pinning its hopes for future economic growth on a 90-acre site on the boundary with Blackburn at Junction 6 of the M65. The proposed business park has been designated a site of strategic regional importance -- the only one in East Lancashire. He said: "East Lancashire has industrial estates, but it does not have a true business park with the highest quality of accommodation. This will attract major inward investors from throughout the UK. We will be looking for knowledge-based businesses, not warehouses. Our aim is to bring quality, high-paid jobs to Hyndburn."