PENDLE Borough Council are looking at ways of helping the local economy in the wake of the recent tide of job losses in East Lancashire.

The most recent announcement to hit Pendle is the shedding of 295 manufacturing jobs at Rolls Royce factories in Barnoldswick.

Since March,1998, 2,894 manufacturing jobs have been lost across Pendle and nine companies have closed completely.

The area is said to be particularly vulnerable during this crisis in manufacturing as 40 percent of local jobs are engaged in industry.

The council also wants to redress a decline in population, made worse by recent job losses as people leave to seek employment elsewhere.

The council has outlined a number of proposals which they hope will tackle some of the problems. These include an analysis of Pendle's economy by Cambridge University to help provide a policy framework which will assist the local economy and identify the area as a 'Regeneration Priority' area.

The council will also ask for assistance from the North West Regional Assembly, with a view to directing more investment for economic development into East Lancashire and will continue to lobby national and European parliaments for continued funding.

Meetings have already taken place with Euro MPs Gary Titley and Arlene McCarthy to try and secure extra funding for the area. The council sees this as "crucial" for future investment prospects in East Lancashire.

The council will also give support to the North West Aerospace Alliance in its bid to create a centre of excellence for aerospace industries and funding to upgrade premises with the latest technology.

Assistance will also be given to create a mini consortium of sub-contractors to bid successfully for contracts.