GRANTS of up to £500,000 are being made available to help East Lancashire's businesses compete on a global scale.

The cash is being made available to companies and entrepreneurs to help fund research and development projects as part of the £23.4million No Limits programme.

The scheme is part of the government's Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) scheme, which aims to create 13,000 jobs and nearly 4,000 businesses in Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Burnley and Pendle.

Over the next three years £23.4million is to be ploughed into a number of projects including the scheme's flagship projects - five enterprise havens, including the recently opened Blackburn Enterprise Centre, Furthergate.

The total money given to the area could rise to £60million over the next decade.

After the government relaxed the laws on what constituted research and development, grants, ranging from several thousands of pounds to £500,000, are being made available to the area's businesses and entrepreneurs.

Businesses are also entitled to tax credit for investing in this area of work.

Eureka, a project within No Limits set up to promote innovation, is holding a free information seminar at Burnley FC's Turf Moor on the grants.

Steven Wilkinson, operations manager said: "Research and development used to be mainly restricted to people wearing white coats in laboratories.

"The recent changes in the eligibility of what research and development is now opens the door to many more businesses to take advantage of tax credits.

"East Lancashire is full of innovative entrepreneurs and manufacturers who are continually striving to survive against strong global competition."

The seminar is being held between 8am and 10am on November 29. For more information or to book contact Steve Wilkinson on 01282 698001 or email steve@trust4business.co.uk.