WORCESTER Technology Park is going to be saved from collapse after council chiefs agreed to accept £18 million from the Government to get it off the ground.

Worcestershire County Council said it was determined to make the flagship project a reality despite Worcester Bosch pulling out as the main anchor business.

The council’s cabinet agreed to take a conditional offer of £17.8 million to launch the park, and insisted new firms will be found to move there.

During a meeting yesterday, bosses said it was “the absolute key to future prosperity, jobs and wealth” in the county.

The site is forecast to create up to 3,000 jobs, but its future was thrown into doubt earlier this month following Worcester Bosch’s U-turn.

Councillor David Thain, a cabinet member, said: “While the Worcester Bosch decision was disappointing, it is part of the ebb and flow of business.

“But our commitment to this venture remains as strong as ever.” Councillor Simon Geraghty, deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment and infrastructure, said: “This is a significant project for the county and we continue to support the park despite Worcester Bosch pulling out.”

The cash offer from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills requires an external assessment over the next six months to determine the council has the means to make the park project successful.

A report before the cabinet said “current market analysis” suggests “a range of technology rich manufacturing-led companies” would be interested in locating to the park once it is built, suggesting that process will be a formality.

It will be located by junction 6 of the M5 and provide 50 hectares of employment land to allow companies to either relocate or start-up.

Of those 3,000 jobs, about 1,000 were due to have been provided by Worcester Bosch before the firm pulled out.

Before yesterday there were fears expressed, not least from city MP Robin Walker , that the Government could pull the plug on the £17.8 million.

The search will now continue for a main anchor tenant and other technology-based business to take up space.

Councillor Adrian Hardman, the leader, said: “I am absolutely convinced this will be the success of the future for Worcestershire, and the Government deserves a lot of credit for sticking with it.

“It is an absolutely key site which will bring future prosperity, jobs and wealth to this county.”