LANCASHIRE Enterprises has refused to comment on claims that it is preparing a bid to take over British Coal Enterprise.
BCE, the job creation organisation set up by British Coal 12 years ago, has assets worth £35 million and an investment fund of £26 million to help new businesses in coalfield regions throughout the country.
The proposed sale of BCE, expected to take place in March, has provoked a political storm with fears that private sector ownership will affect help given to mining communities.
Several other firms are believed to be interested in parts of the BCE business and its own management are trying to raise finance for a buy-out themselves. Lancashire Enterprises, part-owned by Lancashire County Council, was launched in 1989 and is now one of Europe's leading economic development specialists.
Services include the development and management of industrial and commercial property, investment fund management, training and business support.
It employs more than 250 working from offices in Lancashire, Manchester and Brussels and is also represented in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
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