TRAINING and development of staff is not an option for East Lancashire firms - it is vital, according to site director Tim Thompson.

Unless firms and their workforces are able to respond quickly to changes they won't be able to survive, warned the head of the Hepworth Building Products' two Padiham factories.

"We foresee significant growth in the future and we have to be ready to respond quickly and effectively to whatever challenges the future holds," said Mr Thompson, whose firm is the latest in East Lancashire to be awarded the Investor In People standard.

"This would be out of the question without the full commitment of our staff and the assurance that their skills are tied to current and future business demands.

"The Investor in People standard gave us a superb starting point."

Other employers recently presented with the standard include the Blackburn Brook Advisory Centre, Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Council for Voluntary Service, Trutex and two divisions of Accrington-based Caligen Foam.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.