A NEW business newspaper highlighting investment in Haslingden is hot off the presses.

The Action for Haslingden Partnership has produced a business version of its newsletter to be distributed to firms, tourist information offices and libraries across Lancashire. Since the five-year initiative was launched new investment in the town has reached £21.6 million with almost half coming from the private sector.

Around 300 jobs have been created and more are in the pipeline with three new industrial estates and business parks under construction.

"Haslingden is fast gaining recognition as a first class base for business and this is reflected both in the number of companies relocating here and the fact that established local firms have chosen to remain in Haslingden and expand," said Peter Fisher, chairman of the Partnership.

Pictured (left to right) are Arthur Marriott, leisure and industrial development officer, Sally Collins, MD Haslingden Partnership, Dale Winfield, of Winfields and Tony Wild, Haslingden Partnership programme officer.

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