EAST Lancashire's business have a new leader, 45-year-old Environmental consultant Miranda Barker.

Ms Barker took over yesterday (Monday) as chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce from Mike Damms who has held the key post for 23 years.

The Welsh-born mother-of-one and black belt in Ju Jitsu and kick boxing is moving from her current Bolton home to East Lancashire to be at the heart of her new post.

With 20-years of experience in the chamber of commerce world, she believes that her new area will be at the forefront of a new UK rebirth of manufacturing.

Ms Barker, who spent three years working from the East Lancs chamber's Red Rose Court offices in Accrington on a North-West Development Agency environmental advice project from 2004 to 2007, said she was delighted with her new job and undeterred by the challenges posed by Brexit.

Ms Barker, educated at Liverpool and Salford Universities, said: "I am sure there will be difficulties as we leave the European Union but East Lancashire businesses are well placed to take advantage of any opportunities that come their way.

"I think we are seeing a rebirth of manufacturing in the UK.

"East Lancashire is the heart of manufacturing and it will be well placed to lead the way.

"It will be at the centre of this renaissance of the arts of making and skills engineering and has a duty to lead it.

"I hope to be able to match Mike's 23 very successful years dedicated to East Lancashire chamber."

David Sharpe, president of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted, after an exhaustive process, to have been able to appoint someone of Miranda’s calibre and who knows the area well.

" We are confident that, building on Mike Damms’ legacy, she will successfully lead the chamber and East Lancashire into a stronger future."

Sheffield-born Mr Damms said: "It has been pleasure leading the chamber and living in East Lancashire.

"I have had some wonderful times but in Miranda I know I leave the organisation in safe hands."

Ms Barker has worked with chambers in Wigan, Greater Manchester, Halton, and Liverpool, and been the owner of a small business and a director within a Plc.

She’s worked closely with clients across manufacturing environments from chemicals and food to advanced manufacturing in East Lancashire, France, Sweden, Switzerland, and Holland, to Sri Lanka, Brazil, America and China.