SOME of the world's largest and most successful companies now have a significant presence in East Lancashire. We look at what has made the area such an attractive location for "blue chip" businesses and whether it can last.

East Lancashire has long been associated with manufacturing, and is now home to some of the world's largest and most hi-tech companies in this sector.

BAE Systems, Samlesbury and Rolls-Royce, Barnoldswick, employ a total of around 6,000 staff and have put faith in the local workforce for several generations.

But can it simply be a history of manufacturing which attracts such huge companies?

Stock market watchers will notice that among the successful firms listed which have bases in East Lancashire is Capita Group, which employs hundreds in Blackburn with Darwen, and runs many council services for the borough.

Cobham Defence Communications, Blackburn, which is part of the Cobham Defence Electronic Systems division, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cobham PLC, works on major hi-tech contracts for armed forces across the world.

Northern Foods - owner of Baxenden's Holland's Pies - is listed by the Financial Times as one of the top 300 listed companies in the UK for market capitalisation - the total value of a firm's shares - and Findel, owner of Express Gifts, Accrington, is at 309.

Paul Warren, managing director of Blackburn-based chartered accountants and business advisory group Pierce said the infrastructure and connections with universities and colleges made modern East Lancashire an ideal location for business.

Mr Warren said many of the large firms with facilities in the area have, in fact, bought an already existing company which gave them their current presence.

He added that the new £80million university and college campus planned in Burnley would attract more businesses.

Hollands, Cobham and even BAE have all benefited from becoming part of much larger operations, as has Farmhouse Fare, the Clitheroe pudding firm bought in a £10million deal last year by food giants Daniels Chilled Foods, best known for its New Covent Garden branded soup.

Mr Warren said: "In simple terms, East Lancashire is a good place to do business from, and one which has the capability of nurturing a business from the outset until the final stage - when it is ready for a takeover, merger or management buy-out.

"We hear reports of many of the blue chip listed companies eyeing up East Lancashire as a potential money-maker.

"When one area can create as many successful companies as East Lancashire, it is bound to be a target.

"Many companies have done well in their own right, such as Thwaites brewery, Blackburn, and Senator International in Altham, which remain two of East Lancashire's largest employers and also fiercely independent."

Other sectors are also doing very well, with 2Ergo, the Rawtenstall based mobile phone software provider, and Colne-based software firm K3 leading the way.

So why East Lancashire? Companies like Thwaites brewery and office furniture firm Senator has strong, historic family links to the area.

John Eatough, commercial property partner at Napthens solicitors, Blackburn, said the M65 played an important part.

He said: "Infrastructure such as the M65 has opened the economy up as Blackburn for instance is now being seen as a good distribution centre.

"More business parks such as Walker Park, Shadsworth and St Modwen's development at Clayton-le-Moors are an acknowledgement of this fact."

Ian Liddle, commercial law partner at Farleys solicitors, Blackburn, added: "I also believe that the expansion of Manchester Airport has contributed significantly to the growth of East Lancashire businesses "This has helped to promote and stimulate investment in the North West, and East Lancashire has proved a popular location as property prices are frequently lower than those in and around the vicinity of Manchester."

Andy Bunce, from BAE Systems said: "BAE and its predecessor companies have a long history in the region with English Electric acquiring the Samlesbury airfield in 1939 with facilities at Warton and Preston following after World War II.

"With a proven and proud heritage of skills and innovation, together with a well established, strong and vibrant supply chain, the region remains central to the success of the company."

Gary Atkins from Rolls-Royce said the firms Barnoldswick plant was a centre of excellence for the development of jet engines.

He added: "The key thing for our presence is the quality of the workforce. The North West is a cluster for aerospace and we rely on the high quality of our workforce.

"The skills in the area are important to us and Barnoldswick is a centre of excellence."