THE visit to East Lancashire by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will showcase the area on the world stage, it was claimed today.

Details of the official locations for Dr Rice's visit have not been revealed to the public, but it is thought she is due to tour an East Lancashire factory, a well performing local school, and Ewood Park.

Today the area's leaders welcomed the visit following on from Mr Straw's visit to his counterpart's home in Alabama last year as a chance for the area to show to the world what it has to offer.

Coun Dave Hollings, Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for education and lifelong learning, said: "The visit has grabbed a lot of national attention.

"There has been a lot of focus on Blackburn with Darwen as a result, which is a good thing.

"It's controversial with some people but it has certainly drawn attention to the borough.

"When she visits the school she will be able to see the major investment we have been able to put into education in Blackburn with Darwen and the enthusiasm of staff and pupils as a result.

"We have had record performances for the last two years and hopefully the school she goes to will reflect that."

As well as the local school, Jack Straw will show Dr Rice around one of East Lancashire's hi-tech businesses.

Mike Damms, chief executive of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said the move could help Dr Rice and Jack Straw swap details about the two countries' different economies.

He said: "It's always useful when a figure who is recognisable world-wide comes to an area.

"We would welcome the fact someone of that stature is prepared to visit a business in the area."

And the head of the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said Mr Straw could also use the visit to showcase some of the thousands of smaller businesses in the area, and even to promote trade between the area and America.

Craig Morgan, a Clitheroe businessman and East Lancashire branch FSB chairman, said: "It's an opportunity for them to discuss opening up the markets between Lancashire and America.

"We have a lot of small businesses in the area with a lot to offer and it can only be good from that point of view."