A £1.5 MILLION investment has been unveiled to bring a high-tech boost to businesses in Hyndburn.

A new technology management centre - the second in East Lancashire - is to be launched at the Globe Centre in Accrington.

As well helping firms with practical advice for innovation and technology services it will also provide accommodation for new and expanding high-tech firms.

"Hyndburn companies will have access to an unrivalled pool of expertise from both the public sector and major companies such as British Aerospace, Norweb Communications and IBM," said Gwynne Furlong, property director of Enterprise plc. The centre will be part of a regional network and is being developed as a joint venture between Enterprise plc and Globe Enterprises Ltd, a partnership between Hyndburn Borough Council, Barnfield Construction and businessman Stuart Nevison.

Hyndburn borough council leader, Councillor George Slynn, today said the new centre would provide a significant boost to the local economy. "This welcome investment will help Hyndburn companies to innovate, compete and grow in a rapid changing world."

Construction work on the new centre, backed by a £600,000 European grant, is due to finish by the end of the year.

The partnership's recently launched Lifetime training Services department, which provides training in telematics and information technology and is currently based at the Globe will be transferred to the new centre.

Blackburn's Technology Management Centre opened its doors five years ago.

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