ABOUT 10,000 new jobs could be created across Worcestershire over the next five years under a groundbreaking plan for fresh investment.

A blueprint to 2017, revealed by a body of business experts and council leaders, has outlined a major attempt to boost the county’s economy.

One idea is to set up a Bank of Worcestershire which could source finance from the Government and private bodies towards new business creation.

The masterplan, by the Worcestershire Local Enter-prise Partnership (LEP), is aiming to secure £750 million of new money for the county by 2017.

Bosses say they will focus on specific areas of the county for jobs creation – such as Bromsgrove and Redditch.

The people behind the blueprint say they will also focus on job creation in specific sectors – including manufacturing, tourism, cyber security, food production and environmental technology.

The masterplan, which LEP chiefs say is an aspirational one, is aimed at increasing the overall employment rate by five per cent over that period.

Peter Pawsey, chairman of the LEP, said: “The Local Enterprise Partnership is a catalyst that is listening to the needs of Worcestershire, seeking to broker collaboration to create new jobs, supporting new businesses and the longevity and growth of existing businesses.

“So what is it that we will do differently in order to achieve more positive results?

“We will be proactive in seeking investors, enabling development, reducing barriers, supporting our key business sectors and in projecting to the world the fantastic assets that we enjoy in Worcestershire.”