BRACE yourselves for hundreds of new jobs created in the local area.

That was the message after Copeland Borough Council purchased Leconfield Industrial Estate, in Cleator Moor, with the promise of new jobs and business opportunities within the community on the horizon.

With support from Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, the purchase offers a 'bright and vibrant future', to copy the phrase used by a local engineering firm!

Now that the purchase has been complete Avison Young will get to work on developing the site for the next five to 10 years.

Whether the estimated 500 to 800 new employment posts materialises is up for debate, but even if it doesn't create so many, we are still looking at hundreds of jobs that otherwise didn't exist.

It's an exciting opportunity for the area and people will travel from outside the area to work there, and that in turn will boost the local economy.

Bringing the site back into council ownership, ultimately public ownership, promises to open the site up for more local businesses to be part of the process, and it is no surprise that there is a lot of excitement about the scheme.

You can't disagree with Copeland mayor Mike Starkie in his declaration that 'this is a significant day for Cleator Moor'.

School shortage

How awful for parents, and the children themselves, that have been denied a place at their local school which could cope with their offspring's demanding special educational needs.

We have heard this week from parents who face the dilemma of not being able to send their child to school as there are not enough spaces at the school which can cater for their needs. We implore the Government to take action and provide additional funding to help cater for increased demand.