CHANGES in the town's economic structure have been blamed for the abolition of a support agency for local businesses.

This week, after 11 years in the town, the services of Chorley Local Enterprise Agency (CLEA) were transferred to Business Link North and Western Lancashire.

And councillors see it as ideally suited to support Chorley's economy as it has many small businesses that are in their infancy or growing.

"This is to ensure businesses in our borough get the best possible service," said council leader John Wilson, who is also executive member for economic development and tourism.

Coun Wilson explained that CLEA was launched when unemployment was high and received the backing of the borough's big businesses to help newer, smaller companies get off the ground. But now many of the larger companies have left the town, and there has been a shift from manufacturing to service industries, diminishing CLEA's effectiveness.

Business Link is an organisation which provides small companies with information, support and advice to help them flourish whatever the economic climate.

Dennis Benson, chairman of CLEA, said: "Obviously I am sorry to see the CLEA go, but at the same time, I have every confidence that the Business Link will provide an excellent service to those people starting up their businesses in Chorley."

Clive Memmott, chief executive of Business Link North and Western Lancashire, said: "Business Link has a well established track record in assisting start-up and small businesses. I am confident we can build on the excellent work that has been done by CLEA over the past years.

The grant which funded the CLEA has been donated to Business Link.