AMBITIOUS East Lancashire firms are being urged to take advantage of a successful business support service before the £7.2m programme comes to an end next summer.

Boost Business Lancashire has so far helped 1,384 county enterprises with mentoring, leadership, access to finance, skills and innovation.

Of these 198 were in Blackburn with Darwen, 92 in Burnley, 62 in Hyndburn, 56 in Pendle, 71 in the Ribble Valley and 50 in Rossendale.

The two-year scheme, launched in June 2013, is the largest ever Lancashire business support aimed at firms with high-growth potential.

It hopes to boost Lancashire’s economy by £20 million, create at least 1,200 new jobs and safeguard 700 more by summer 2015.

Andy Walker, LCC’s head of business growth and innovation, said: “Boost Business Lancashire is providing the region’s growth-hungry businesses with high-quality support from genuine business experts, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to realise their growth aspirations.

“Funding for the programme has been secured to take us up to summer 2015, but businesses need to be signed up to receive support well in advance of the end of the programme to ensure the support is delivered in time.”

Burnley-based specialist roofing slate supplier JRC is full of confidence after receiving growth mentoring under the programme.

Founded 14 years ago, it now has a 12-strong workforce supplying business customers nationwide.

Director Rosie Connor said: “We wanted to market our products to architects and specifiers.

“But we had little knowledge of the specifying world and how to effectively access this market.

“We were introduced to Alan Varley, a director of Lynx Architects Ltd, as our mentor and he explained exactly what they need from a supplier.

“With an updated website, fresh literature and a clear picture of what to do, we envisage a growth in turnover of 20 per cent in the next 12 months and potentially the employment of a new member of sales staff.

“The support we have received has been fantastic.”