EIGHT new directors have been appointed to the board of a business support group.

The move comes two months after seven directors quit Business Link East Lancashire in a dispute over the debate on the future of services for small and medium-sized firms in East Lancashire.

"Each of the new board members has a successful track record and their skills complement those of our 12 other directors who are drawn from both the public and private sectors," said Phil Burgess, chief executive of Business Link East Lancashire.

"They fully understand the needs of the region's business owners and will work to ensure that Business Link support services are geared specifically to them."

The new directors are: Allan Buck, founder of Printoff Graphic Arts which employs 43 people at Lomeshaye Estate, Nelson. Peter Novak, managing director of Etiquette Formal Hire, Waterfoot, the largest firm of its kind in the country.

Tracey Strudwick heads Rossendale company, Petra Hellas Ltd which employs a team of 30 designing and making decorative marble and stone fireplaces.

Ismaeel Mubarak, from Blackburn, founded ladies and children's clothing manufacturing company, Caprice Apparel Ltd.

Robin Huddleston runs of System Hygiene Ltd, one of the North's biggest distribution companies based at Altham Business Park, which supplies workplace hygiene and safety products. Kam Kothia, boss of Blackburn-based e-Marketing Services is also a founder member of the DTI Ethnic Minority Business Forum and is General Secretary of the recently formed Asian Business Forum.

Coun George Lee, nominated by Rossendale Borough Council, is National Director of the Road Safety Marking Association (RSMA), one of the UK's fastest growing trade organisations.

Coun Peter Clarke, nominee of Hyndburn Borough Council, is the owner of a

vehicle repair business based in Great Harwood and a member of the

Institute of the Motor Industry. Peter has economic development responsibilities within the Council.