TOP property agents have given East Lancashire the thumbs up for business.

The East Lancashire Partnership invited commercial and industrial property agents from Manchester to London to tour local industrial estates and business parks.

The visitors saw sites including Network 65 at Burnley, Walker Park and Shadsworth Business Park in Blackburn and Altham Business Park.

"I was extremely impressed with the way the area has developed in such a short time and in particular since the opening of the M65," said Alistair Newman, of King Sturge agents.

"Land prices and rental are competitive and combined with excellent infrastructure, premises and good motorway access makes East Lancashire a significant region to invest in."

And he said East Lancashire had become a credible alternative to increasingly scare and over-priced sites in south Manchester.

The visit by the agents was combined with a ride into the area on the East Lancashire Railway from Bury.

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