WORK is due to start on phase two of a £3.5m office business park in north Worcestershire, which could create up to 200 new jobs.

Phase two of The Courtyard, at Harris Business Park, Stoke Prior, near Bromsgrove, follows on from the outstanding success of the first phase, which saw four of the five units quickly snapped up by companies.

Developers West Midlands Contracts Ltd have decided to give the next phase the go ahead and a further eight units will be available later this year at the site, which backs on to the Birmingham to Worcester Canal.

Harris Business Park, situated about 1.5 miles south of Bromsgrove on the Hanbury Road, is rapidly expanding due to its close proximity to the M5 and M42 and Birmingham.

Phil Rogers, managing director of West Midlands Contracts Ltd, said the company had been "very encouraged" by the success of the first phase.

"We are keen to press ahead with phase two in what is becoming an increasingly popular location for business," he said.

The latest development will include eight, two-storey detached office premises featuring ultra-modern amenities, including electrically-operated internal security shutters and availability for the latest ICT connections.

Joint agents for the development are John Truslove, Redditch, and Smith Balla, Birmingham.