VISITS to Preston North End's Deepdale ground and County Hall were part of government minister Richard Caborn's busy schedule when he came to the town to launch a new development agency.

Mr Caborn, Regions and Regeneration Minister, attended the launch of the Central Lancashire Development Agency (CLDA) at PNE, after sitting in on the Town and Country Planning Association's annual conference at County Hall.

Speaking at the official launch of the CLDA, Mr Caborn said: "The main objective of CLDA is to provide a genuine partnership of the public and private sectors in central Lancashire, with a key focus on economic development, and providing an effective co-ordinating link for the area with the RDA.

"I am sure that CLDA's activities are a step in the right direction and I want to encourage strong links with the RDA.

"Promoting Central Lancashire as a prime centre for industrial and commercial activity, to attract inward investment, fits in with the RDA's strategy for the region."

Mr Caborn, pictured with PNE chairman Bryan Gray, emphasised the importance of the economic strategy for the region, and added: "This means not just tackling business competitiveness, but addressing the underlying problems of unemployment, skills shortages, social exclusion and physical decay.

"It means getting everyone working together behind a common agenda."

The CLDA involves Chorley, Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire County Councils, plus leading business people to attract investments and jobs to the area.

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