THE Birchwood community is to be invited to get involved in a new initative.

The district has been chosen for a prestigious new project. The empty offices in the west block of Birchwood Shopping Centre, close to Spectrum Arena, are to house a new 'Business Incubator', a special scheme by the University of Manchester designed to address skills shortages.

Schools and organisations will be encouraged to take part in the initiative in a bid to develop links for research and training.

The idea was sparked at a meeting of the Birchwood Forum, a group of organisations and businesses from across the area. Warrington Borough Council and Business Link discussed the university's incubator idea, and Birchwood was the ideal location.

Alan Turley, head of economic development at Warrington Borough Council, said: "Birchwood offers a good location, is at the heart of the motorway network and is an area recognised as a centre for technical excellence."

Birchwood Shopping Centre manager David Wightman said: "As a member of Birchwood Forum we aim to work together for the benefit of Birchwood.

"We are delighted we were chosen."