A PIONEERING climate group - set up to assess the impact of changing weather on the North West - has received the continued backing of Lancashire County Council.

The North West Climate Group, a unique partnership between public and private sectors working towards preparing for a warmer, wetter climate in the region, was launched by the North West Chamber following the successful introduction of its first major study.

The county council has been instrumental in encouraging and participating in the initiative - acknowledged as a role model for the rest of the UK.

County council leader John West said: "Warmer weather will be a boost to tourism and farming and will lead to lower heating and running bills for homeowners and industry. However the risk from storms and flooding will obviously increase with the higher rainfall levels."

He said the findings of the study will be used to plan properly for the changes for the people of Lancashire and their descendents.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.