BLACKBURN Rovers are set to help kick-off new businesses and create jobs as work on an office complex gets under way.

Based on the first floor of the Darwen End stand at Ewood Park, the Blackburn Rovers Enterprise Haven will eventually have 24 self-contained office with a reception, administrative services and conference facilities.

The Haven a partnership development between Blackburn Rovers Community Trust and the public sector, will be one of five in Pennine Lancashire under the No Limits programme. It is due to open for business in March 2008.

No Limits is a £23m initiative to help support new and existing businesses throughout Pennine Lancashire with advice, finance, accommodation and other support.

It is supported by the three professional football clubs of Pennine Lancashire - Rovers, Accrington Stanley and Burnley - and by the borough councils of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Burnley and Pendle.

A similar facility at Turf Moor, Burnley, is due to open in the New Year, and further Havens are being developed in Hyndburn and Pendle.

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "I am delighted that the Blackburn Rovers Enterprise Haven is under way.

"This is further proof that partnership working is the key to success.

"The Enterprise Havens will all work closely together to offer support to businesses at the different stages when they need it."

Gill Kinloch, head of community affairs at Blackburn Rovers, said: "This capital investment has allowed the development of a previously unused area of Ewood Park to help address the shortage of business premises locally.

"We believe that location at the stadium will offer growing businesses many advantages not least of which will be a very desirable trading address."