FEWER than half of firms in East Lancashire should have to complete forms as part of the national review of business rates.

The Valuation Office Agency in the North West is sending out tens of thousands of forms to firms to help calculate business rate levels which will take effect from April 1 2000.

But the agency said it would involve fewer firms to take part than in previous revaluations because it already had more information on business premises than in previous years.

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