DESERVEDLY, there is high-level recognition -- and the prospect of even greater acclaim -- today for two pioneering initiatives conceived in East Lancashire.

And though they are quite diverse -- one is a scheme achieving remarkable success in curbing crime among young people; the other beams instant expert medical advice from Blackburn to patients in hospitals miles away -- they are feathers in our cap that demonstrate East Lancashire's capabilities.

But while we have long been aware ourselves of these qualities, significantly, through these innovative schemes they are being recognised today at national level -- and may yet reap international honour.

And that is important as they put the spotlight on East Lancashire region in a way that gives a boost to its prestige and standing in the national awareness -- intangibly, but nonetheless positively, giving it advantages that combat the negative "provincial backwater" image that regions like ours have often to struggle against.

The community-based Youth Works project in Darwen, which tackles youth crime and anti-social behaviour -- the blight of so many neighbourhoods -- has cut offences by more than a third in the town's Sudellside area, halving the number of burglaries and cut juvenile nuisance by 12 per cent. Now it is named as one of the county's five top crime-reduction schemes is shortlisted for top European award.

And the unique Telemedicine System at Blackburn Infirmary is of the short-list of just three from across the country for the Hospital Doctor Innovative Team of the Year awards -- after the team from BRI's facial injuries department devised a video link which allows consultants at the infirmary to examine patients at other East Lancashire hospitals and ones at Bolton and Bury and to advise staff on their treatment.

To everyone involved in each of these inspiring initiatives, East Lancashire says: "Well done!"