BUSINESS confidence is rising in the North West.

A series of interest rate cuts has helped restore some of the optimism that has been lacking over the past year, according to the latest quarterly survey by the North West Chambers of Commerce which East Lancashire firms contribute to.

For the first time since the end of 1997, the service sector has reported rising growth in domestic sales and orders.

Although the manufacturing sector is still struggling the slowdown in the home market shows signs of bottoming out and exports are improving.

There has been a significant easing of concerns over inflation rates and interest rates and the strong pound seems to be causing fewer problems than in previous quarters.

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