A NEW group which aims to help boost the local economy by identifying funding available for community developments today received government backing.

Pendle Local Strategic Partnership will unite public, private, voluntary and community sectors so people have more idea of how to access services.

It is among 21 such partnerships in the North West to receive an accreditation from the government.

The partnership's 52 members will include Pendle Council, Lancashire County Council, East Lancashire Health Authority, the Probation Service, police, primary and secondary schools, major employers, the Learning Skills Council and various voluntary and community groups, including ethnic minority groups.

It will help develop the local economy, lobby for government and other funding and develop a community plan of objectives for service-providing bodies.

There are also plans to develop schemes such as the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, Rural Strategies, Economic Development Strategy and work closely with the private sector, young people and other sectors.

Dennis Mendoros, chairman of Pendle Partnership and board member of the North West Development Agency, welcomed the accreditation, saying it would build on Pendle Partnership's good six-year track record.

He said a Local Strategic Partnership would strengthen Pendle Partnership's community links.

Mr Mendoros added: "It will aim to address the social, economic, health and environmental issues affecting the people of Pendle, in order to improve the quality of life for everyone in the borough.

"I hope the creation of this new body will be a milestone in the future development of Pendle and its residents."