CHANCELLOR George Osborne announced the Tory's plans to introduce a new enterprise zone in Dudley when he visited the Black Country today (Friday).

He said zones, which typically offer rate relief schemes, simplified planning processes and superfast broadband, could also be set up in Wolverhampton and Walsall and create thousands of jobs.

The Conservative’s Dudley North candidate and the Pedmore and Stourbridge East councillor Les Jones has backed the plans and said he was “delighted" about the announcement.

Cllr Jones said: “We identified a site during the first round of enterprise zones, and I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to put forward proposals for the same site to encourage new, high tech engineering businesses into Dudley.

“This will give great opportunities for young people currently going through college and link well with Dudley College’s new Advance engineering campus.

“I led the Black Country bids for the enterprise zones and I’ve been lobbying the Government ever since. I’m delighted that they’ve made this announcement now; it’s great news for Dudley.”

The party's Dudley South candidate Mike Wood has also welcomed the news.

Cllr Wood, who represents Pedmore and Stourbridge East, said: "When the Chancellor was in Wordsley a couple of weeks ago, he asked me what one thing could the Government so that would make a big difference to our local economy.

"I told him that what we really needed was to get a Local Enterprise Zone based on the Waterfront in Brierley Hill to act as a magnet for innovation and commerce, and to attract additional investment to Dudley.

"I'm obviously delighted that the Chancellor has announced that the next Conservative government will launch a new wave of Enterprise Zones in the West Midlands if we win on May 7."