IT is claimed that jobs have been created in Ludlow and south Shropshire as a result of increased international investment.

Figures show that the Marches secured a significantly increased level of investment by overseas businesses during the year 2016-2017.

Collectively, these investments created 832 new jobs, it is claimed.

The report, published by the Department for International Trade, also shows that the 21 investments, up from 15 in the previous year, safeguarded a further 320 jobs in the Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin region.

The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership directly supported 15 of the investments.

Local Enterprise Partnerships were created by the coalition government after 2010 to replace some of the work of the Regional Development Agencies that were disbanded.

Speaking in response to the publication of the report, Gill Hamer, director of the Marches LEP, said: “To see a 40% increase in the number of foreign businesses choosing to invest in the Marches region over the past year is fantastic and serves to highlight just how much the region has to offer.

“Nine investments were made by manufacturing companies which demonstrates the continued appeal of the region to these firms.

“It is, however, also encouraging to see that almost a quarter of the investments made were in the establishment of head offices, a fact which underpins the region’s attractiveness and competitiveness vis-à-vis other areas.

“Of course, without the support and hard work of the investment teams at our three local authority partners, it would be impossible for the Marches LEP and the Department of International Trade to convert these investment leads into tangible growth in the region.”