NORTH-west manufacturers have been urged to prepare for the enlargement of the European Union in May, 2004.

The 10 countries set to join then are: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt told a Manchester meeting of regional development agencies this week that there is nothing to fear if firms get ready now.

"The end of the cold war and consequent enlargement of the European Union brings unprecedented opportunities for British business," she said.

"We all recognise the challenges of the global economy, but we must not allow a consensus to develop that enlargement will only mean an exodus of British jobs to Eastern Europe."

She said UK membership of the European Union had already brought a market of 375 million customers to our doorstep and that enlargement would expand it to 450 million.

It is predicted that around 300,000 new jobs will be created in the 15 existing EU member states as a result of enlargement.

The Minister said: "We can compete for them by playing to our strengths.

"Companies who fail to develop their products through investment and innovation, or those who fail to develop the skills of their workforce, will lose out.

"But those who act now will be the ones who reap the rewards."