EAST Lancashire received its best news in many years when it was announced that the area is to receive £120million regeneration money. The massive government grants are a reward for years of hard graft in the face of incredible difficulties.

For years the area has suffered industrial and business decline.

Countless manufacturing companies have closed, taking with them thousands of jobs .

The knock on effect has left other businesses in the area struggling and East Lancashire has seen some of its brightest youngsters leave for greener pastures.

But through all this there has been faith.

Local authorities and business, industry and education leaders have closed ranks and proved that East Lancashire is an area well worth fighting for.

Their faith and determination has paid dividends.

No government awards massive grants like these unless it is convinced that an area is worth backing.

There was some apprehension in these parts that the cash would not be forthcoming because there were other areas with worse unemployment. But one of the key issues when the government decisions were made was East Lancashire's determined effort to fight back when faced with huge difficulties.

Here was an area that had seen its traditional industries fade and die.

But it rolled up its sleeves and accepted the challenge thrown down by modern technology and business methods and came out with all guns blazing.

The team work which is the benchmark of the East Lancashire Partnership mightily impressed key people in government circles.

The only disappointing note was the rejection of Hyndburn's bid for Single Regeneration Budget money, although it will get a slice of the £3.7million awarded to East Lancashire Partnership.

We cannot understand why this bid was thrown out.

Hyndburn councillors have promised to fight "tooth and nail" for government hand-outs and we would back them every inch of the way in that.

But the overall picture is good.

Prospects for industry and commerce in East Lancashire are better today than they have been in the last 50 years.

And that means a better future for everyone in this region.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.