A NEW organisation that aims to bring together leading players in rural industries is due to be launched in Worcestershire tonight.

The Worcestershire Rural Hub will be chaired by National Farmers Union county chairman Michael Oakes, who is due to be a key speaker at the official launch at Droitwich Rugby Club.

At the launch, Hub members plan to submit a funding bid to the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs for a co-ordinator to facilitate a county-wide approach to developing joint business projects.

The initiative for a "hub", to focus on the needs of diverse rural businesses in the county, originates from a group of farmers.

It has now grown to encompass a wide range of rural organisations and local authorities.

Working together in the umbrella group gives them the opportunity to generate ideas to boost rural regeneration and act as a pool of shared knowledge.

It is also intended to raise the skill level of people working in the rural economy.

Key players include the NFU, Worcestershire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, the two counties Learning and Skills Council and Pershore Group of Colleges.

"The Hub's launch event, which begins at 7.30pm, is open to anyone earning their living in rural Worcestershire but who has not yet been involved in the Hub," said Mr Oakes, who farms at Rednal, near Bromsgrove.

"It gives them the chance to see what it is all about, how they can participate and, hopefully, how they can benefit."

Other speakers will include Jorgen Fink, from Farmatic Biotech Energy, a joint venture between private business, the community and more than 30 Devon farmers.

Nick Helme, of 7Y Rural Services Network, will also speak about his experiences of collaborative working.

The Hub is funded through the GROWS scheme of regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, designed to encourage sharing of skills, expertise and knowledge at all levels to achieve sustainable living and a thriving rural economy.