TWO East Lancashire companies have been named as being among the North West's top performers in the City in 1997.

Airtours and Gaskell both saw their stock market values soar during the year.

Helmshore-based Airtours came third in a market capitalisation league table of the region's top companies compiled by accountants Price Waterhouse. The travel giant saw its market value increase by £655 million - a 59 per cent rise.

And Altham-based carpet and underlay manufacturer Gaskell came second in a league table of smaller companies.

Its stock market value rocketed by more than 196 per cent partly due to increased profits.

First place in the large company league went to night club operator Northern Leisure and in the smaller company table Drew Scientific Group won.

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