The Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) on Oxford Road is investing £4 million in the recruitment of 14 of the country's most talented young scientists, doctors and nurses, it has emerged.

New recruits will be expected to research major areas of health such as heart disease, depression, and arthritis across 14 different programmes.

The centre is part of a government strategy to make the UK a global pioneer in research, healthcare education and training.

Professor Peter Clayton, a spokesman for the BRC, said: "This is a very exciting project which will attract some of the brightest and best young researchers to Manchester.

"They will have the chance to pursue leading edge research in their specialist field, backed up by training, guidance and support from a senior researcher."

Manchester BRC is run by the Central Manchester Hospitals and the University of Manchester.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency has invested £4.9 million in Manchester BRC, while biomedical companies in the region, such as AstraZeneca, have also injected cash.