A NEW group to champion the cause of Lancashire's manufacturing and engineering industries has been launched.

The Lancashire Road, Rail and Automotive Partnership has been launched to concentrate on firms which work within the transport industry.

More than 100 firms have already signed up to the organisation which is funded by Lancashire County Council with support from the European Regional Development Fund.

Local firms include Approved Electronics of Clitheroe, Brookhouse Patterns of Darwen and Callender Aeropart of Burnley. "The engineering industry is critical to Lancashire's economy," said Frank McKenna, deputy leader of the county council.

"We have world class companies at the leading edge of technology which are competing in international markets. "

But he said many of the firms were relatively small and needed support in marketing and product development.

The first initiative under the partnership which is being managed by Enterprise plc was to launch a web site - www.larriat.co.uk - at the recent Midlands Manufacturing exhibition at the NEC.

Larriatt will keep member firms up to date with developments in engineering and manufacturing and encourage joint ventures to help win new business.

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