A RECORD number of businesses were given a helping hand to find premises in Worcestershire last year and county experts are expecting another bumper year in 2006 as the local economy continues to grow.

As the first month draws to a close, Worcestershire Property Service manager Pat Prosser said there had been an encouraging start to the New Year.

WPS acts as a one-stop shop to help firms find the best business locations in the county.

Last month saw a 41 per cent surge in demand over the previous December, as more and more companies sought to move into the region or improve their location.

In addition, the service fielded more internet inquiries from businesses during just nine months from April to December 2005 than in the entire year prior to that period.

Pat Prosser, who manages the service, said the figures also showed the strength of the local business economy - despite national reports of tough times for companies, especially in the High Street.