BURNLEY could soon rival Manchester with plans to open a cybercafe in Hammerton Street.

The £200,000 investment will include offices, a computer shop and the state-of-the-art computer cafe on the street where Proctor's Mill is currently being developed as a hotel, function room and nightspot.

Tech Support International, run by partners Bob Holden, Chris Wareing and Mike Smith, has operated from various people's houses in the Burnley area for the five years since it was launched.

Bob, 26, said: "We have leased what used to be Sportak and Geoff's Carpets and have applied for planning permission to use the building for a cybercafe which will have 12 computers all linked to the web and with multiplay games.

"We will also have a training area, offer video conferencing and a retail shop in what was Sportak. At the launch, in about six to eight weeks time, we will employ 12 people and that will rise to 20 before the end of the year."

They are applying for grants and will be investing up to £200,000 which has been raised privately.

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