UP to 300 jobs will be created in East Lancashire if a proposed £18million tourist attraction gets the go-ahead.

Bosses behind Spice! herbs and visitor centre also hope the attraction will support hundreds more jobs by attracting a cluster of specialist companies to the area.

Jan Smithies, managing director of The Spice! Project, said East Lancashire could become a hub for firms specialising in alternative medicine, horticultural techniques and world food -- in effect bringing a brand new industry into the town.

The Evening Telegraph revealed last week how Miss Smithies had moved her company to the area from Bradford to boost her chances of getting the project off the drawing board.

The plans would place the Spice! herbs and visitor centre in Blackburn, while land off the M65 at Guide has been identified as a prime site.

Miss Smithies said: "We think the project could create up to 300 good quality jobs. This figure could be much higher when taking into account off-site activities.

"We are also looking into the possibility of the colleges and voluntary sector talking with us about developing a range of skills and courses around the attraction, for example, complimentary therapies, horticultural techniques and cooking.

"We think Spice! will give local businesses a chance to diversify and will also attract companies specialising in these fields to the area, supporting more jobs and creating new industries."

The cultural education and tourism project will be based around the use of herbs and spices through history, in cooking, cosmetics and herbal medicines.

The plans include a 5,000 sq m glass-fronted hall with restaurants, shops and a conference and wedding venue. An outline planning application is expected within six months and it could be open by 2008.

Organisations including Cornwall's renowned Eden Project, The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew and the British Food Trust have joined the Spice! 'steering committee', which is undertaking a £35,000 feasibility study.

Miss Smithies said the Spice! team would welcome any input from businesses interested in getting involved.

Local organisations on the Spice! board will be invited to apply for funding from the Big Lottery Fund, Europe and the North West Development Agency.