Advanced textile companies have received a £400,000 boost to expand the number of products available and up-skill workers.

Technical materials are used by several other sectors in the north-west, including aerospace, automotive, chemicals, construction, biomedical, environmental, maritime and sport.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) hopes the grant, which was given an additional £200,000, will appeal to a wide sector set.

NWDA executive director of enterprise and skills Mark Hughes said: "The right skills are critical to the economic development of the region, ensuring vital sectors remain competitive and productive."

The number of advanced materials companies in the north-west is believed to be second to none in the UK.

The NWDA would like to see the north-west become a European hub in this sector.

Initiatives include skills training to make it easier to outsource some of the technology to grow the area.

The move comes as giant regional redevelopment agency Peel Holdings called for the public and private sector to invest in plans to a super port to better tap world markets.