MORE and more companies looking to set up in the Midlands are expected to focus on Worcestershire, after Birmingham was named among the most expensive office space in the world.

Britain's second city came 23rd in a new table of the top 30 most expensive business locations and Worcester-shire Property Service is now expecting a further surge in enquiries from companies looking for offices in the county.

WPS is a county council-run service, which offers a free, confidential search facility for businesses looking for new premises in Worcestershire.

Pat Prosser, who manages WPS, said: "Use of the website this December increased by 41 per cent over the previous year and the news that Birmingham remains a very expensive city in which to rent office space will only serve to boost interest in Worcestershire.

"It is great for Birmingham that it remains such a key business location but, be-cause that means it is expensive, it should also benefit Worcestershire.

"It is an ideal business location for so many reasons - the proximity to Birming-ham International Airport, motorways and railway lines, a highly-skilled population and already-established leading international brands to name but a few.

"The local economy is also experiencing above average growth and WPS is expecting a busy time as more businesses look to set up in the county in 2006."

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