THE leader of Preston City Council will be a keynote speaker at an event encouraging Lancashire businesses to spend more of their budgets in the county.

The Bring Back a Billion will take place at the Mecure Samlesbury Hotel on Thursday, September 5 from 4pm to 6pm.

Cllr Matthew Brown has been invited to speak at the event, as his 'Preston model' for directing more public money into the local economy was a major inspiration for the campaign aimed at asking private businesses to do the same where possible.

Cllr Brown said: "We want to see more local relationships developed to enhance local supply chains – and keep more money circulating here in Lancashire."