DEPRIVED areas in Blackpool could face a brighter financial future if the town is successful in its bid to attract millions of pounds of European funding.

If all goes to plan, the town hopes to receive a share of £12 million of the European grant to support the growth, renewal and start-up of small businesses in 12 of the poorest wards.

A bid is being submitted in partnership with other authorities in the Lancashire West Partnership, Business Link North and Western Lancashire -- which would all receive an amount based on the size of their population.

Blackpool could expect to receive £3 million if the bid is a success and this would be spent on extending the Business Start-Up package, providing advice to the small tourism sector businesses, especially the accommodation sector, encouraging creative industries and providing nursery units for small growth businesses.

The town also hopes to receive around £2 million to boost community based businesses and jobs in Blackpool's Foxhall, Alexandra, Claremont, Talbot, Park and Brunswick wards.

Executive member for Tourism and Economic Development, Councillor Roy Lewis said Blackpool has 12 wards eligible for European funding under European Objective 2 Status and has to submit action plans by July 2.

He added: "It will be a great boost to the town and to local residents if we can attract additional investment of this sort and we are determined to do everything we can to ensure these bids are a success.

"We are fighting hard to regenerate Blackpool in all sorts of ways and are driving forward a number of initiatives to bring real benefits to the town and its residents." At present the town is only being asked to express an interest in being one of 15 priority areas to be considered to receive cash. A full and detailed bid will need to be submitted by the end of 2003.