TWO Wyre Forest market towns could be in line for a windfall to boost their economies.

Bewdley and Stourport have been highlighted as key areas for cash from a multi-million pound Government kitty.

Advantage West Midlands, the development agency earmarked to distribute grants, could also draw on public funding in addition to money from Government schemes to encourage employment and prosperity in the countryside.

A decision could come before the end of the year on whether to label the two towns key "regeneration zones" in an area covering Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire.

Market town development is seen as the best hope for people living in remote rural areas who need jobs, services or centres for setting up new businesses.

Bewdley and Stourport - still to come through the first stage of decision making - have been chosen as contenders for a share of Advantage West Midlands' annual regeneration fund of £110m.

Any money would be channelled into a range of schemes from building new community centres to introducing new technology and improving infrastructure for businesses.

Worcestershire County Council is now starting work on a 10-year prospectus to show how investment in key zones would improve services for rural people and the areas in which they live.

Priority areas have been selected by county partnerships made up of community councils, health and local authorities, police and chambers of commerce.

Bewdley and Stourport will be competing with other areas like Wem in Shropshire, Hereford in Herefordshire and the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire.

Bewdley is described as an important centre for tourism-related services which benefits from excellent arterial links.

The Worcestershire Partnership has called for Stourport to be considered "a key market town" with potential to develop canal basins, a marina, caravan park and nature reserve.

It is also seen as a choice area for private investment and a place where conservation projects can be sited.

The partnership said six acres of brownfield development land were on offer and despite some traditional industries being in decline, it could offer examples of high quality high-tech innovation in new industrial clusters.