FREE support for firms in Worcestershire is available under a £3.8 million regeneration scheme that encourages job creation and champions innovation in the Midlands.

The recently extended Technology Transfer Fund (TTF) has grants of up to £25,000 available to help with business activities including prototyping, patenting and product and process development.

Innovative companies in Worcester, Malvern, Broms-grove and Redditch are already benefiting from TTF backing.

Paul Sadler, managing director of Birmingham Research and Development Ltd, which manages the TTF, said: "Helping innovative companies grow and succeed is one of the key things we do. We're determined to build on the success of the TTF so far, which is already making a real difference to the regional economy."

For more details call Melanie Kaiser on 0121 414 8618 or visit www.brdl bham.ac.uk/ttf Other Worcestershire based companies who have received funding include automobile engineering company Tech2Reality Ltd, Samuel Taylor Ltd, who manufacture precious metal contacts, and EcoBoard Ltd, who recycle wood that would otherwise go into landfill sites.

To find out more about the TTF contact Melanie Kaiser on 0121 414 8618 or visit www.brdl.bham.ac.uk/ttf.

The scheme covers the entire Central Technology Belt, the high-tech corridor running from Birming-ham to Malvern.

Guests at a spring launch event held at Worcester County Cricket Club heard from a range of speakers including successful TTF bidders Celentyx Ltd, which is involved in groundbreaking medical work to do with drug discovery.