BUSINESSES in the area will have access to one of the strongest support agencies in the country after the merger of two local Business Links yesterday.

The Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire, which has been delivering the two counties' Business Link advice services since 1997, has now merged with Business Link Shropshire.

Together they will be known as Business Link West Mercia and will ensure more help and public money reaches local firms.

"It is imperative that Business Link Herefordshire and Worcestershire - which last year was one of the top three Business Links in the country - remains at the forefront of the business support delivery network," said Christine Jones, chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Business Link Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

"By merging with Business Link Shropshire, which is also a very strong Business Link and one of the top performers in the country, we can ensure we remain one of the strongest business support agencies in the West Midlands region."

Business Link West Mercia will specialise in the economic development of rural areas and will concentrate on small and medium-sized businesses, which make up about 85 per cent of all companies in the three counties.

"We will concentrate on rural businesses to counteract the urban focus of other West Midlands business support agencies," added Mrs Jones.

"With the debate about public spending reaching a new crescendo, it is imperative we are as efficient as we can be and by merging the two operations we can be sure more public money will go directly to the customer - the businesses in the three counties requiring the support."

The new arrangements will see the two Business Links merge on April 1, 2005 and will not affect the Chamber of Commerce itself, which is a member organisation funded by subscriptions.

For more information log on to www.hwchamber.co.uk