THREE East Lancashire firms are joining Britain's largest-ever trade mission to Japan next month.

Aero & Industrial Technology of Burnley, Weston Electrical Units of Foulridge, and Precision Polymer Engineering of Blackburn, are part of a five strong team from the North West taking part in the trip.

The mission, which Ian Lang, president of the Board of Trade, will be accompanying, has been organised by Action Japan, a DTI initiative to help firms win new business in the Far East,.

Leading Japanese firms including Sony and the Tokyo Electric Power Company will be meeting more than 100 British firms taking part in the mission.

Japan is now Britain's second largest market outside Europe and deregulation and have opened up major opportunities for small and medium-sized firms.

"I am delighted that three companies from East Lancashire will be accompanying me on the biggest ever trade mission to Japan," said Mr Lang.

"Britain's exports were up by 26 per cent last year - an extraordinary success in a demanding market. But there is still the potential for much more business to be done and I will be doing everything I can during the trip to make sure British companies benefit."

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