THE Far East met East Lancashire as a group of senior government officials from China took part in a fact-finding mission.

The delegation from the Liaoning province spent a week in Lancashire as guests of regeneration organisation Enterprise plc.

They were in Lancashire as part of a European tour to see examples of "best practice" in developing small and medium sized businesses.

Enterprise director Michael Hynes said one of Liaoning's most pressing needs was to support the growth of such firms.

"Enterprise has an international reputation for its pioneering approach to economic development in Lancashire," he said. "We are pleased that Lancashire has been chosen for a study visit."

Specialists from Enterprise have already spent time in Liaoning, researching the framework that exists for private companies in the province.

The delegation involved key government officials. Among the places they visited was the East Lancashire Technology Management Centre, Accrington.

Enterprise is part of a consortium of four organisations which has won a four-year £3.15 million contract from the European Commission to help restructure Liaoning's economy.

Liaoning, located between North Korea and the Yellow Sea in North East China, is one of the country's most industrialised regions.