SOME of the town's top companies have backed a unique business development by becoming associates of the new Leigh Business Academy.

Following a successful pilot programme the venture, which will focus on developing managers and supervisors, will be launched at Leigh RL Club on May 15.

The hunt is on for more enthusiastic, committed firms who care about the town to sign up and help create an active network. Membership is free, all the academy calls for is commitment.

The concept, purely for businesses, agencies and voluntary organisations in the "greater" Leigh area, has come about as the result of a partnership between the management centre at Wigan and Leigh College and the North West Development Agency.

Supported by Patak's Foods, Waterfields Bakeries, Stephensons Solicitors, Jackson Stephens Accountants, Leighton Packaging and Leigh RL Club, the Academy will make a range of nationally accredited courses available on companies' own doorsteps.

Waterfields managing director Richard Waterfield said: "We are delighted to be associated with such an innovative venture. Our own experiences show that the business benefits to be gained from the courses provided by the Academy are substantial."

David Page, MD of Patak's Foods, also an enthusiastic supporter, said: "The results of investing in developing managers are clear to see. We now have staff who are well equipped to lead profit improvement teams and deliver tangible results.

"Anyone in business who wants to increase profitability should seriously consider becoming a member of the academy."

Phil Coffey, managing director of Leighton Packaging, added: "Since embarking on staff development from the management centre we've seen improvements in productivity, a reduction in waste and an associated increase in profitability. I can't recommend this programme highly enough."

Head of the management centre, Geoff Critchley, said: "This is a first for the area, delivering proven training programmes in our supporters' premises."

Business leaders will be joined by Wigan Council Leader Lord Smith of Leigh and college principal Jim Crewdson at the breakfast launch in the Hilton Suite.

To become an associate call Malcolm Howells or Donna Morris on 01942 761885 or e-mail do.morris@wigan-leigh.ac.uk.