A DIRECTOR of one of East Lancashire's biggest employers and the headteacher of a school in one of its most deprived areas shared their experiences with the 'Achieving our Vision' audience.

Colin Silcock, of computer group Time, said the Simonstone firm was fully behind the partnership's aims.

"There are a lot of challenges here. The vital one is for everyone to get working together or our young people will have a very desolate future," said Mr Silcock.

Over the past 12 years Time has grown from a shop in Blackburn into a £250million turnover business employing 2,500 people.

Mr Silcock said addressing issues such as skill shortages and transport were vital if more businesses were to be given the chance to grow in the way Time has.

Barbara Booth MBE, head teacher of Shadsworth County Infants School in Blackburn, told of the difficulties faced by schools in deprived areas..

But she explained some of the initiatives it had used to significantly improve the achievement levels of pupils over the past four years including working with local companies to get new equipment and materials.