Boost for Midlands

The University of Wolverhampton has launched an initiative to help boost Midlands' industry.

The move comes as the region attempts to gauge the economic damage caused by BMW's proposed sale of the Rover Group to venture capitalists.

The Pounds 6 million Competitiveness Centre at the Shropshire Campus in Priorslee will offer services such as technology-transfer support, advice for small to medium-sized businesses and access to state-of-the-art equipment.

The project has won Pounds 1.8 million in funding from the European Regional Development Fund.