A £4 MILLION expansion of a Worcestershire science hub has finally been signed off by the Government – with the promise of up to 150 new jobs.

The Government has agreed that Malvern Hills Science Park can get the new investment, adding 25,000 square feet of office and lab space to the futuristic site.

The move, first revealed by your Worcester News last year, was subject to being signed off by ministers.

The cash is now secure, meaning that the park can expand to take in more companies on top of the 23 currently based on the site.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, who met defence procurement minister Philip Dunne last week to brief him on the complex, hailed the move.

She said: “It’s great news that the Government has approved the funding for the new building programme, and I am told there is great demand for the space that this building will free up.

“The Minister was very impressed with the work being done in Malvern by QinetiQ, UTC and lots of smaller high tech firms such as Borwell, 3SDL, Dytecna and Deep Secure.

“We were able to lay out some ambitious plans for significant future growth across ‘Cyber Valley’ with Malvern at its heart.”

The park, which currently employs 300 people, is home to cutting edge cyber security firms, many of them working on lucrative government contracts. But many of the businesses are running at capacity and there is a waiting list for companies wanting to take space.

The Government says £1 million will be available now and another £3 million next year to fund the expansion, known as phase four.

It comes as Business Secretary Vince Cable unveiled a package of policy announcements to help small businesses grow.

Mr Cable has launched a new campaign and website for small companies that bring together all the key government support programmes.