CALLS are being made to attract more "high level" employers to Worcester - with councillors saying the city cannot settle for dormitory status.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, the leader of Worcester City Council, says securing better paid jobs must be the focus even if it takes years to come to fruition.

During a Q&A at the Guildhall, he said:

- Worcester needs more firms like Postcode Anywhere, which set up in Hallow in 2001 and is now based in Diglis after years of phenomenal growth

- It could take "decades" to change Worcester's jobs market around so it competes with richer cities paying significantly larger wages

- He is concerned too many young people get educated in the city and then leave, suggesting reversing the 'brain drain' should be the ultimate city and county council focus

As your Worcester News revealed on Monday, people in Warwickshire earn an average of £140,000 more than those in this county over their lifetime - £3,111 for every year of a 45-year career.

Cllr Geraghty did a Q&A session with councillors on the city's new Corporate Plan last night, a five-year blueprint which stresses alongside a whole host of other topics the importance of getting better jobs in.

Speaking during a meeting of the performance, management and budget scrutiny committee, he said: "What we must focus on is supporting companies to grow in Worcester - we're not talking about top 10 employers but those underneath that level.

"Look at the example of Postcode Anywhere in Diglis - they've been very successful, it's those kind of firms which will be creating jobs for the future and those better paid ones."

Labour Councillor Richard Boorn said: "The SWDP (South Worcestershire Development Plan, a blueprint for 28,370 homes by 2030) puts us in danger of being a dormitory city.

"I feel it would help this city immensely if we can help people up their skill levels.

"To attract people in, if they want a big house they've firstly got to earn the money to allow them to buy that house, and if they are already earning that, chances are the job won't be in Worcester."

Cllr Geraghty replied: "We've got to refocus our economy - we won't do it in five years if I'm honest but over a course of decades I think it's possible.

"Otherwise we lose all the talented people, who go elsewhere after being educated here.

"Do we want Worcester to be a dormitory town? I don't.

"We must look at other areas of the UK getting it right and harness that - and that has to transcend politics because at the moment people are moving away."