STAMP duty is to be scrapped in Wyre Forest's most deprived ward in a bid to boost investment and enterprise.

Oldington and Foley Park is one of 1,200 of the country's poorest wards which will benefit from the move.

Other measures include relief from VAT on the sale of houses that have been empty for 10 years or more and tax relief for the cost of converting space over shops into flats.

The ward will also benefit from a reduction in VAT to five per cent on the costs of converting property into homes and renovating properties empty for three years or more.