FIRMS in East Lancashire are under threat from 'Eurocreep', Blackburn chartered accountant Jeremy Stirrup has warned.

He said many firms mistakenly believed they were immune to the single currency, but were being pressed to do business in euros

"Suddenly they have exchange risks and book-keeping challenges they never expected," said Mr Stirrup, of PM&M.

Mr Stirrup was speaking at a meeting organised by the Manchester Society of Chartered Accountants to explore ways of support the Government backed Euro Forum which aims to help the business community get to grips with the euro.

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