ENGINEERING subcontractors in Herefordshire and Worcestershire can get grant aid to exhibit at a major manufacturing exhibition.

Companies that want to improve market awareness by exhibiting at the Midlands Manufacturing 2003 Exhibition can apply for aid from Advantage West Midlands.

"Don't be put off by thinking about getting yourself involved in a bureaucratic paper chase," said a spokesman for the exhibition.

"The show's organisers can answer whether you qualify for the grant with a simple phone call.

"As a rule of thumb, if your location is satisfactory, you have under 400 employees and under £32m turnover, then you satisfy the grant requirements."

He said the exhibition - due to take place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) on Wednesday, March 19 and Thursday, March 20, 2003 - was the only one at the NEC that specifically addressed the needs of the region's engineering and manufacturing industry.

For more information, telephone Phil Valentine on 01784 880 890.