IT IS, of course, frivolous to ask ourselves where or what East Lancashire is.

But when that question is put to others, in this country and abroad, and draws a blank or dismissive response, we should be concerned.

For there are people in government and in state departments controlling resources for regions like ours who really ought to know all about East Lancashire and what its needs are - for better housing, health, education, transport, environment and much more.

The same applies to Europe - in the EU Commission and among its MEPs and Brussels bureaucrats.

It is vital, too, that businesses and investors in the global, multi-national market place are aware of what East Lancashire can offer them in return for jobs and orders.

And in the continual struggle for prosperity, for better social conditions, for a safer and healthier environment and a better quality of life for all the people of our region, it is vital that East Lancashire has both the power and recognition to demand and get its fair share of resources and to sell itself and its talents to the world.

It is, after all, a region that is as big as many major European cities and even some capitals. It ought to be as influential and recognised as they are. It may be a tribute to its abilities and to the strides towards those goals that East Lancashire has shown immense economic resilience and resourcefulness in spite of harsh recessions and the decline of staple industries like textiles, coal and engineering.

But the need to focus and strengthen these efforts is vital. This is something that this newspaper has long advocated.

Now, we are thrilled that this unified approach and zeal is being consolidated and honed in a way that should spell the end of East Lancashire's image and status in the world outside as a vague geographic entity and replace it as a tangible, dynamic force that speaks up for itself, fights for its rights, sells its economic advantages and wins new resources and investment and a better future for all its people.

We see this endeavour coming together today in the East Lancashire Partnership, with the region's six councils being joined by the county council, the police, colleges, businesses and training groups to powerfully promote the "city" of East Lancashire. The Partnership's bold vision and aims have already been demonstrated - when, a year ago, its "East Lancashire in 2020" conference produced many inspiring ideas to help make our region a place where people want to stay, one to which others will want to come and one where all can prosper.

And now today, as the new regional development agency for the North West embarks on the task of bringing more investment to the region, the Partnership's newly-launched drive to ensure East Lancashire's voice is heard there, at Westminster, in Europe and the world over is one we should all back to the hilt.

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