Gold medal for Lancashire manufacturing

As the Commonwealth Games take place on Australia's Gold Coast, Team England will be kitted out by Lancashire-based Kukri Sports.

Lancashire County Council's Cabinet member for economic development has praised manufacturers in the county who are flying the flag across the globe. The Gold Coast is welcoming thousands of fans, athletes and officials for the XXI Commonwealth Games. South Ribble-based Kukri Sports have provided some of the clothing for Team England.

County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for economic development, said: "Lancashire is renowned for its manufacturing, which competes with the best in the world. And the world will be seeing examples at the Commonwealth Games. "We're pleased that Team England will be wearing clothing provided by a company based in central Lancashire, and we send our best wishes to all competitors.

"When you also consider that East Lancashire-based Simon Jersey supplied Team GB for the recent Winter Olympics in South Korea, then it's certainly a gold medal for Lancashire manufacturing. "It's important for sportsmen and women to have the right clothing and equipment to compete at the highest level. This is a very specialised area of manufacturing, and one that we're proud to say that Lancashire is leading the field in." At the Winter Olympics in South Korea earlier this year, Accrington-based Simon Jersey provided formal wear for Team GB.

They also supplied Team GB at the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio. Councillor Green added: "In sport it's vital to nurture new talent and encourage the next generation. The county council is working hard to encourage start-ups and young companies. "For example, our long-established Rosebud Business Finance is helping companies on their growth journey, creating new jobs and growing the Lancashire economy.

"Rosebud has many years of experience helping businesses in Lancashire to grow, and thanks to our work with Boost Business Lancashire, we're continually updating what we can offer to businesses based here.

"Boost, Lancashire's Business Growth Hub, helps businesses from start-ups to large companies to access a number of funded programmes in areas such as mentoring, product development, leadership development, and accessing finance. "There are lots of ways to help your company to get onto the starting blocks of a growth journey."