WORK is set to begin on a £4.3million business park in the Ribble Valley.

The Ribble Valley Enterprise Park is being developed at the former Barrow printworks site near Clitheroe.

The new park will be aimed at small and medium sized businesses, particularly technology-based firms. It is a joint venture between Enterprise plc, Pilot Properties and Lancashire County Council and is being backed by a £1.1million grant from the North West Development Agency with a further £1 million from Europe and £20,000 from Ribble Valley Borough Council.

"This type of high quality facility is crucial for the North West's Development Agency's long-term vision for the region," said Mark Phillips, of the agency.

"It can bring the economic success of the region to areas which have sometimes been neglected in the past."

Work is due to start in mid-December and infrastructure work should be completed by mid-June.

The first phase of the scheme will see the construction of a two storey office block - the Enterprise Centre - which will contain 11 office suites.

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