BUSINESSES in East Lancashire have been encouraged to use a newly-opened management training centre in Pendle.

Mark Price, chief executive of training organisation ELTEC, told an audience of business and training leaders that Nelson and Colne College's Gawthorpe Management Training Unit was a vital link in providing highly skilled staff for local firms.

The training unit has moved from its previous site at Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham, to more practical and accessible offices at the Pendle Business Centre, Nelson.

"I hope you capitalise on this move and I encourage the business community to take up the services on offer," Mr Price told the audience at yesterday's launch of the new offices.

"It is always exciting to be in at the birth of any new venture. I promise our support in building your success."

The training unit is the latest in a series of major improvements carried out by the college in recent years. It follows the opening of a business centre for small and medium-sized firms at the college's main Reedyford site last year. The unit will provide a wide range of management training and expertise for local companies. It also offers other training facilities, a library, computer support and a conference room.

College principal Kath Belton said the new offices were more centralised and linked closely with other users of the business centre such as Pendle Council's economic development unit and the private/public consortium Pendle Partnership.

"The Gawthorpe Management Unit is here to support companies by helping them identify their training needs, deciding on the best and most cost-effective training and giving them access to management support," she explained.

"We are all working to develop the economic regeneration of the area."

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