A NEW partnership is being launched aimed at boosting Longridge's economy.

The Longridge Town Team, designed to develop and promote the town, will be launched at Longridge Civic Hall tomorrow.

It will be responsible for planning the future economic development of the area.

The team is being set up by Ribble Valley Borough Council, Lancashire County Council, Longridge Town Council, Longridge Business Group and local voluntary organisations.

Alistair Sheret, chairman of Longridge Business Group, said: “Last year local businesses received finance from a variety of government agencies amount-ing to more than £4million.

“Many businesses do not know that this money exists or, if they do know of its existence, nav-igating through the various bodies and their paperwork can be daunting.

“We want Longridge businesses to have the best chance of securing any government funding that is available.

“That is why at the meeting to launch the town team those agencies with money available to local businesses will be represented and able to advise Longridge’s entrepreneurs how to go about getting their hands on the money.”

The team plans to look at ways to improve broadband connec-tions, mobile signals, and road signs, and they will also sponsor a report to improve the industrial estates, retail centre, and office facilities in the town.

It includes County Coun David Smith, Ribble Valley Borough councillor Ken Hind, town councillors Rupert Swarbrick and Stuart Carefoot, and local business leaders.

Coun Hind said the recession had impacted on small businesses in the area.

He added: “The collapse of Berry’s the chairmakers, in Chipping, earlier this year resulted in a large loss of jobs with many Longridge families feeling the effect.

“It is vital that we keep small businesses alive in order to boost the local economy.”