A BUSINESS lunch has boosted hopes of better links between commerce and councils, says Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor.

He was speaking after a lunch hosted by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

Major district employers sat down with representatives from Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire County Council, Advantage West Midlands and the county-based learning and skills centre.

Dr Taylor said: "It was a very useful sharing of ideas.

"I hope it will break down some barriers between businesses and facilitators.

"I have employers telling me they keep clear of the district council because there is so much red tape and they never meet them to talk things over.

"I hope this luncheon will have encouraged them to do so.

"The chamber of commerce organised it because it felt businesses in Wyre Forest felt they were a bit neglected."

He added: "What encouraged me is that even though businesses face problems such as competition from abroad, they are sticking with Wyre Forest.

"They say it has a loyal, hardworking and skilled workforce."