A SCHEME available to firms in East Lancashire has been hailed a major success story.

The Teaching Company Scheme acts as a broker between companies and universities and to date more than 2,000 businesses have taken advantage of it, inlcuding Lupton & Place in Burnley and RGS Electro-pneumatic of Oswaldtwistle.

The Government has now said the scheme "delivers significant benefits" for companies taking part.

"By helping businesses to gain access to the wealth of knowledge in our higher education institutions and other research based organisations TCS is making a real contribution to the Government's policies on a number of fronts ," said Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Minister for Science and Innovation.

Further details on the scheme locally are available from Dorret Sampson on 01254 616269.