NEARLY a fifth of employers in Halton do not employ people from the borough, a new survey has shown.

And plans to tackle this rather shocking statistic were unveiled at Shopping City last week.

Realising the Benefits is a £10.5 million project hoping to effect regeneration across Runcorn estates.

This will be done by equipping people with the skills necessary to win jobs in the new light and service industries which the council hope to attract to Halton.

The Halton Partnership, which designs and runs Single Regeneration Budget projects in Halton, is also hoping to encourage and back community enterprises and local entrepreneurs.

The money will come from EU, SRB fund and other sources.

Initially RTB will involve months of research among the people of the target areas, Palacefields, Castlefields, Brookvale, Norton and Murdishaw.

Ways of combatting crime are also included in the bid, with a community saftey co-ordinator involved.

Anyone who would like to find out more can contact the co-ordinators of RTB at Rutland House, Halton Lea on 01928 759090.

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