A STRATEGY to help take East Lancashire's economy into the new millennium has been launched.

The North West Regional Development Agency has published its vision of the future for the whole region over the coming 20 years.

And East Lancashire firms and organisations have helped form the strategy.

The RDA consulted more than 1,300 companies and 220 organisations to gauge their views on what the region needs to improve.

"The strategy and priorities for action have been identified by the region, for the region and responsibility for the successful implementation rests with the region," said Lord Terry Thomas, chairman of the RDA.

The document focuses on keys areas to attract skilled talented people to the region, improve community life, promote innovation and make the North West a prime location for new investment.

"The North West has been the beneficiary of considerable funding in the past and much of this has been well applied. However it is clear that not all of the basic problems have been resolved and as funding is unlikely to increase in the future it is important that a more integrated approach is adopted between all those concerned with the region.

"I am convinced there is nothing we cannot achieve together."

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