INTERNATIONAL trade specialists from the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce are flying out to Poland next week in a bid to drum up business for local firms.

A five-strong trade team, which is being headed by International Trade Director Ed Murphy, will be signing a twinning agreement with the Tarnow Chamber. which will open the doors to trade between the two areas.

And as part of the five-day visit, the East Lancashire Chamber will be attending an international exhibition for the construction industry.

Among the firms they will be representing are Ultraframe, Clitheroe; Silentnight, Barnoldswick; Riley Lifting Equipment, Colne; Muschamp Machine Services, Blackburn; Speciality Coatings, Darwen; and Impact Adhesives, Blackburn.

Lynne Ellison, marketing and market research supervisor, was hopeful the visit would increase trade between East Lancashire and Poland.

"Eastern Europe is now opening up to the West, " she said. " We will be promoting the products of our member companies which we hope will lead to increased trade and, possibly, joint ventures."

The visit to Poland follows a delegation from Tarnow that came to Blackburn as part of the Borough's Millenium celebrations.

Also taking part in the Poland visit are: Amanda Crane, international trade manager; Stefanie Heywood, international trade supervisor; and Ian Johnson, international trade advisor.