ONE of the "wise men" who decides on interest rates for the Bank of England met leaders of East Lancashire's business community.

The Chamber of Commerce invited Professor Willem Buiter, member of the bank's monetary policy committee, to meet local industrialists. The half-day visit was spent at uniform firm Simon Jersey's Altham base.

During the visit there was a debate on the effects of the bank's policy on small businesses and a presentation by Dennis Mendoros of Euravia Engineering on the state of East Lancashire's economy.

"It was an extremely successful visit and the chamber will continue to work for direct communication between businesses and the Bank of England," said Michael Damms, chief executive of the chamber.

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