BUSINESS secretary Vince Cable this morning addressed East Lancashire business leaders and vowed to reverse the 'painful' decline of the area's manufacturing sector.
Mr Cable was in Burnley at a special manufacturing summit held at the town's university campus.
He told the audience of employers and civic leaders that the sector's decline in East Lancashire in the past decade had been 'painful'.
But he added: "The evidence is that there's the reputation here and potential for growth."
Mr Cable name-checked the likes of BAE Systems, Nelson-based Kirk Environmental and AMS Neve in Burnley as shining examples of modern-day advanced manufacturers.
He also outlined measures taken by the coalition Government to boost the sector, like the regional growth fund.
Mr Cable praised the Burnley campus, saying its vocational courses 'embodied' East Lancashire's manufacturing spirit.
The business secretary was due to visit Aircelle in Burnley later for a tour of the aerospace firm's plant.
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