WAYS of using East Lancashire's industrial artery as the lifeblood of future regeneration were put under the spotlight at a summit involving business and community leaders.

The conference at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors brought together a range of agencies to look at a creative approach to revitalising the Leeds and Liverpool Canal corridor.

The day-long event highlighted the value of waterways as a leisure and tourism "magnet".

Organisers spotlighted successful waterside projects from Liverpool to Leipzig, showing how a partnership approach attracted investment and made the best use of resources.

More than 120 people took part in the event. Representatives from across East Lancashire and the rest of Britain were involved covering the private, public and voluntary sectors.

They agreed to work together in future to boost the canal corridor. The canal was built to transport materials and goods to and from East Lancashire's cotton mills.

Pictured are conference delegates, from the left, Nick Hunt, Mid Pennine Arts, Terry Horan, British Waterways, chairman Cliodhna Mulhern, City Centre Initiative, Colin Taylor, East Lancashire Partnership, Janet Matthewman, North West Department of Culture, and Anthony Preston, North West Arts