STRUGGLING businesses in Great Harwood are to decide how to spend a £20,000 grant from the local area council to make the town more attractive.

The Great Harwood Business Forum was set up last month after the area council offered cash to promote the town, which has been in decline since the early 1990s.

The news follows moves to set up a £20,000 survey by Lancashire County Council to find out why its land and buildings in Great Harwood are being left vacant and underused.

The forum, which currently consists of eight local firms, has been meeting to discuss ways to regenerate the town of 14,000 people.

When the businesses have come up with a list of suggestions, they will present a report to the area council at a public meeting which will then be voted on by council members.

David Thompson, manager of the Chicken Shop in Queen Street, blames the problems on the closure of Oxo eight years ago and Priestly Footwear five years ago. He said: "I can count about 12 empty premises on Queen Street with more on Blackburn Road.

"Once upon a time 500 women came out of Oxo to spend their money in the town and I remember when the butcher next door used to fill his window at 4.45pm. "

Sandra Baron, 54, has been running sewing shop Its Sew Easy on Queen Street for the past 11 years. She said: "We need more people to visit the high street and things like fairs, festivals and a posh brochure will help."

Local County Councillor and chairman of the environment committee George Slynn said: "Radical help is needed in the area and I hope the efforts of the area council and Lancashire County Council will significantly contribute."

Any businesses interested in joining the forum can call Hyndburn area council department on 01254 380106.