NORTH-West representatives were today lobbying Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers to keep special help for the region.

The Government is re-drawing the Assisted Area Status Map, which decides which parts of Britain get Westminstder and Brussels cash to help support firms and create jobs.

Last week representatives from Bolton Council and local industry joined the town's three MPs in lobbying Mr Byers to keep the status for the borough.

Today a national delegation with strong North-west representation will see the Cabinet Minister himself .

They representatives want a commitment that the region, hard hit by the run down of heavy industries, will keep the status and the cash that flows from it.

In recent years the North-west has annually received more than £584 million in European regional aid alone.

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