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More than 18,500 jobs could be created in the West Midlands if a multi-site enterprise zone bid from The Marches LEP is successful.

The LEP has submitted proposals to the government for the creation of an enterprise zone over 175 hectacres of land in Telford, Shrewsbury and Hereford.

Chairman of the Marches LEP, Dr Geoffrey Davies, said a single site zone would "fail to maximise potential business opportunities" because of the rural nature of the region.

Instead, the bid includes sites in three main urban areas of the Marches – the Telford Technology Park, the Hereford Rotherwas Park and the Shrewsbury Arc. The three sites are home to businesses in sectors such as health and social care, advanced manufacturing, environmental technology, defence and food and drink.

Dr Davies said: “As one of the first wave of successful LEPs, we wish to seize this opportunity, having been unsuccessful in the first round of Regional Growth Fund bids. This proposal will be the backbone of our second round bids, a unique approach to an enterprise zone but one which we believe will benefit our rural economy, which operates very differently to those in large cities.

The proposed Marches zone would also provide a business support package, including grant support and a mentoring scheme.

21 sites across the UK will be granted enterprise zone status, which will allow businesses to take advantage of relaxed planning laws and tax breaks.