BOLTON-based EEF Lancashire increased its membership by 25 to 262 last year.

Chief Executive John Brown says in the annual report that the Association has also continued to develop its services to member companies.

"In particular we have strengthened our employment relations and health and safety teams to meet a rapidly increasing demand," Mr Brown writes.

He says change was a feature of 1996, most notably through increased regulatory pressures in health and safety and employment law.

He says: "We can expect environmental issues to follow the same route in 1997.

"We shall continue to do all possible to help steer members through the inevitable complexities."

Mr Brown, who started the job last year following Stuart Irwin's retirement after 31 years, found that the Association's economic trends surveys showed a gradual but steady recovery in confidence during the earlier part of the year and a notable increase in export orders.

But this fell away in the latter part of the year as uncertainty increased about the election and longer-term economic prospects.

Other points from the annual report include:

There was a significant increase in the number of cases going to Industrial Tribunals - 30 compared with 13 the previous year.

1996 was the first full year for the Association's Environment Manager, Andrew Taylor.

There were clear signs that environmental management and best practice would be crucial issues for al parts of manufacturing industry in the immediate future.

The Training Division had a "most encouraging year" and established a strong foundation for the future.

The Association promises to keep members abreast of developments in 1997 concerning the Working Time Directive and the National Minimum Wage.

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