A £1.5m year-long scheme has been launched to help start-ups and small-to-medium enterprises in the fields of medical technology and advanced materials.

The project focuses on the Central Technology Belt - the corridor which runs from Birmingham to Malvern - and offers grants of up to £25,000.

The Technology Transfer Fund is helping realise the commercial potential of scientific and technical knowledge within businesses and universities, research and health institutions in this area.

There are grants available for activities such as business planning, protecting intellectual property, market research and final prototype development.

The project is managed by the University of Birmingham's technology transfer company, BRDL.

It is co-funded by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, and the Government Office for the West Midlands using European funding.