A LEADING North West expert has backed the Government's newly-published strategy which aims to boost the UK's manufacturing sector.

Bryan Gray, chairman of the North West Development Agency (NWDA), welcomed the report.

It highlighted seven ways in which companies and the workforce could build on strengths and overcome weaknesses to encourage British manufacturing, which contributes £19 billion to the local economy.

It incuded investment, best practice, raising skills and education levels and science and innovation.

Mr Gray said: "Our region was the cradle of the industrial revolution and ever since that period the manufacturing sector has been critical to the prosperity of the North West.

"Manufacturing has been neglected in the past so I am pleased that a national strategy document has been produced. I particularly welcome the sectoral approach which has been adopted.

"Our objective must be to achieve productively levels at least as good as those of our competitors.

"I am particularly keen to encourage exports as there is a proven link between export success and business productivity."

He added that the strategy endorsed several intiatives the NWDA had started, including its close relationship with the North West Aerospace Alliance, its own innovation team and last month's launch of the first regional centre for manufacturing excellence in the region.