INNOVATORS in Worcestershire and Herefordshire can benefit from grants totalling £25,000 to support their ground-breaking plans.

They could be among dozens of the West Midland's most promising new projects benefiting from the funds, part of a £4m scheme run by the European Union and Advantage West Midlands.

The grants, launched at a series of breakfasts around the region including one held at the Malvern Hills Science Park, Malvern, will be given to projects in the public, private and community sectors.

"Great innovation ideas are not confined to research and development people or inventors," said John Cornbill, head of the Innovation School, the group leading the search.

"Anyone, from any walk of life, can be inspired to change things in a positive way.

"We want to talk to people who think they have innovative solutions to meet new needs."

Project managers who want to be considered for the grants should ring 024 7623 6813 or e-mail n.lewis@coventry.ac.uk