A training centre which has helped launch hundreds of engineering careers is set to close.

The Lancashire Enterprises Training Centre -- which used to be the Lucas apprentice training centre -- is shutting down when the lease on the Billington Road site in Burnley runs out in June.

Future training will be carried out by Enterprise plc and Blackburn-based training 2000. The 80 apprentices who are already placed with firms across East Lancashire will continue their training under the new partnership.

"Training 2000 have invested heavily in up-to-date plant and equipment and it is logical that their facilities should be fully utilised," said Paula Harris, head of training at Enterprise plc which managed the Burnley centre since 1991.

"We will continue to supervise the training of the current apprentices in conjunction with Training 2000."