A VISION of life in East Lancashire in the year 2020 will be discussed at a major conference dubbed the "forum of the future".

The East Lancashire Partnership is hosting the event at Ewood Park, Blackburn, on February 24.

The aim will be to see how the area can develop in the next 20 years by bringing together business, schools, colleges, local authorities and community associations under one East Lancashire group.

A series of top-flight speakers will present their ideas at the conference, Developing a Vision for East Lancashire in 2020.

Some of the ideas include:

East Lancashire as a network of local communities each with its own busy resource centre.

A 24-hour integrated public transport service, controlled by East Lancashire Passenger Transport Authority, which will provide efficient and affordable links between each of the town centres. The transport includes a metro system with links to major North West cities.

Schools accommodating growing numbers of adults needing refresher courses in basic education skills.

The East Lancashire Partnership is aiming to prepare proposals to change East Lancashire from an area of small town economies to a district with the facilities and opportunities equal to those of the best European cities.

Together Blackburn, Darwen, Burnley, Nelson, Clitheroe, Colne, Accrington, Rawtenstall and Bacup is made up of 500,000 people.

By working collectively, the East Lancashire Partnership believes the area could equal major cities in terms of opportunities for education, employment, health and recreation.

Anybody who would like further details about the event should contact Jan Foster on 01254 600650.

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