CONSERVATIVE MEP Malcolm Harbour visited Malvern Hills Science Park on Friday.

Delayed by Spring Gardening Show traffic, the MEP wanted to check on its progress and speak to people who work there.

He also talked to staff about a new £900,000 technology fund to boost business innovation in Herefordshire and parts of Worcestershire.

The first round of grants under the "Prograta" scheme, which will see European money ploughed into innovative business ideas, is due to be handed out next month.

Unfortunately, delays around Worcester and Upton-upon-Severn meant he only had time to talk to one worker at a science park company - Dr Jonathan Mortimer of cellpharm.

However, science park manager Nigel Shaw said the Euro-MP, who has special responsibility for e-commerce, was impressed by what he saw.

"He wanted to look in and see what developments had come up in the last two years, and have a look at what companies are doing here," he explained.

"It went very well. He was impressed with what people are doing here and how the park has progressed since he last saw it."