EXCITING plans to take East Lancashire forward were on the agenda at a special conference today.

Hilary Armstrong, Minister of State for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning, was launching the strategy for East Lancashire's future at the conference at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors.

And 300 delegates, including councillors, business leaders, and health chiefs from across the North West, were looking into the future to discuss how everyone in the area can help make a difference to the economy, health, education and the environment.

Entitled "East Lancashire's Future -- Achieving Our Vision" the venture, organised by East Lancashire Partnership, looks at how the area could rival the UK's and Europe's major cities when in comes to opportunities for people of all ages. The strategy sets out plans to enhance the quality of life for people in East Lancashire, raise their income, and make the area a better place in which to live, work, invest and visit.

A new university and a Metrolink-style tram system are both part of a vision of life in East Lancashire in the year 2020.

The conference follows an event at Ewood Park, in 1998 entitled "Developing a Vision" and "East Lancashire Tomorrow" held at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel in July last year.

Carol Fern, strategy and development manager for East Lancashire Partnership, said: "The conference will be about what we can all do to make a difference to East Lancashire. I want everyone to go away from the conference with an idea about what they can do to help."

Speakers include Mike Shields, chief executive of the North West Development Agency, Colin Silcock, marketing manager of Time Computers, and Barbara Booth, headteacher of Shadsworth County Infants School.

Roger Ellis, chief executive of Burnley Borough Council, and Kath Belton, principal of Nelson and Colne College, will make a presentation entitled "East Lancashire's Future".