A NEW initiative has been launched in the Malvern area to help businesses look for new premises.

Malvern Hills District Council has compiled a list of all the industrial, office and retail premises, as well as vacant land, that is for sale, or to let, in the area.

The Vacant Property Register has been compiled from local estate agents' information.

"The Vacant Property Register will allow individuals to gain access to all the commercial premises in the area from one source rather than having to contact all the estate agents individually," said the council's economic research and marketing officer, Adrian Field.

"If, as a result of the register, they are interested in a particular building or plot of land, they can obtain the particulars from either the council or the agent itself."

Anyone wishing to obtain a copy of the register can phone Adrian Field on 01684 862361 or e-mail adrian.field@malvernhills.gov.uk.