Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has visited Gloucestershire to explain how a new cash injection of £15 million can help both the people and economy of the region.

This funding - which is part of the Local Growth Deal - is expected to help create 6,000 new jobs and provide 400 new homes in Gloucestershire.

The government and all 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships has agreed to expand the growth deals that were initially made last July, with this new £15 million coming on top of a previous sum of £62.5 million.

While in Gloucester, the transport secretary saw how the funding is to regenerate the Blackfriars and the Quayside area in the heart of Gloucester, as well as how it will go towards promoting the county’s renewable energy, engineering and nuclear skills, as well as other aviation and retail projects.

Mr McLoughlin commented: “Providing investment for the county to drive its own growth and job creation forms a major part of this government’s long-term economic plan.

“The projects will provide the businesses, housing and skills that will build on the economic strengths already evident in Gloucestershire.”