Work space is still available at a new £3.5 million business centre that opened at Ellesmere Port on Tuesday.

Three of the 23 offices and 12 of the 18 workshops at Evans Business Centre at Pioneer Business Park have been taken.

Its 31,000 sq ft of space is expected to become a prime site for small or medium-sized enterprises and employ about 200 people.

Unveiling a plaque at the opening ceremony, local MP Andrew Miller said: "Encouraging entrepreneurship is vital to Ellesmere Port's economy and this centre will play an important part in providing the right business space to support new and developing businesses."

The Evans Business Centre offers companies broadband and telephone, flexible two-month licences and no legal costs.

It has good transport links and is next to junction seven of the M53.

The business centre was funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the European Regional Development Fund.

Peter White, executive director of the NWDA, said the scheme would create a more sustainable future for the local economy.

Office rentals in Manchester city centre are being snapped up, standing at 790,000 sq ft, according to Colliers CRE, which is a two-year high.