"EAST Lancashire means business" - that was the message from the Chamber of Commerce Open Day.

Hundreds of visitors attended the high profile event held to coincide with the chamber's relaunch.

And organisers say the day was such a success it may now become a regular feature in the local business calendar.

More than 110 local business and organisations ranging from computer manufacturers to interior designers took stands at the event staged at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors.

The official launch of the Chamber's new multi-media presentation - part of a major project which has won £30,000 of DTI backing - helped get the event underway.

Chamber bosses decided to stage the day as part of its relaunch to emphasise to members the huge range of services it now offers from export advice to Government lobbying. During the event the Chamber received their British Chamber of Commerce Approval Certificate from the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire Sir Simon Towneley.

"I believe the merger of the Blackburn and Burnley Chambers has been at the root of the success of the organisation today," said Sir Simon.

"And I am sure that the official approval for its work will give it even more clout in the future."

The Chamber was also presented with its Investors in People award - the 98th local employer to achieve it - by ELTEC chief executive Mark Price.

During the day awards were made to founding member William Blythe Ltd and long serving member Cherry Tree Machine Co.

The event was also used to officially launch the Chamber's new discount club where members can get discount on hundreds of goods and services in the area. And members got the chance to question local politicians about matters affecting them.

Burnley MP Peter Pike, who went to the exhibition from the Labour Party Conference, and the borough's council leader Kath Reade were quizzed about matters ranging from the West Coast Main Line railway to the minimum wage and European bureaucracy.

Chamber officials were delighted with response to the exhibition.

"I think it is really for the members to judge how it went but all the exhibitors I spoke to said they expected to do business from it which is excellent," said Michael Damms, chief executive.

"The first question many of them have asked has been when will the next one be! And we've had many non-members asking to join."

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