NEW figures have shown that textile manufacturing in Lancashire is experiencing a revival after millions has been invested in the industry.

Interim findings from the Textiles Growth Programme has shown that 39 business across Lancashire have invested £8million in the programme over four years.

This has helped create nearly 380 jobs and 24 apprenticeships, while safeguarding nearly 150 existing jobs.

It has also helped unlock more than £2million in grants for the industry through the Government's Regional Growth Fund.

David Hardman, chairman of Accrington-based textiles firm Lantex which employs 30 people, has invested £100,000 in modernising his factory, including new machines and a new staff canteen.

He has also helped set up a textile academy in Burnley to teach sewing with £45,000 from the fund.

Mr Hardman said: “Sewing is a skill for life. It’s a flexible career as people can even work from home if they have a family.

"This area’s prosperity was founded on the textile industry. It’s our heritage and in our blood.

"Despite overseas competition we continue to manufacture for both the domestic and international markets. We’re proud of this and the Textile Academy will ensure we continue to thrive by providing a trained workforce for the future.”

Lancashire has a rich history in the textile industry, with cotton mills proving a key source of business from the 19th century until after the Second World War.

Figures from the Textiles Growth Programme show that nationally there has been a £200million growth in production in the last two years.

They also estimate that textiles production in the UK was worth a total of £9.1billion last year and 4,450 additional jobs have been created or safeguarded by the Textiles Growth Programme.

The programme focused on five Local Enterprise Partnership areas (LEP) which previously had a history of textiles manufacturing.

These included Lancashire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and Leicestershire.

Lorna Fitzsimons, founder and director of the Textiles Growth Programme said: “Five years ago, Lord Alliance challenged Sir Vince Cable, the then secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, to recognise the opportunity for increasing UK fashion and textiles manufacturing.

"This started us on a journey which led to the most extensive study on supply and demand for UK fashion and textiles manufacturing in decades. There is still more to do but this is a success story no one saw coming.”