COMMUNITIES and local government secretary Sajid Javid pledged to do all he can to bring growth to the region when stopped off to 'cut the ribbon' at the official opening of Dudley South MP Mike Wood's new office in Wordsley.

Mr Javid, MP for Bromsgrove (including Hagley, Clent and Belbroughton areas), said he was "delighted" to call in and lend a hand to his Black Country friend Mr Wood whom he praised as "one of the most active, effective and passionate MPs” that he knows.

He officially declared Mr Wood's new constituency office in Wordsley High Street open on Friday afternoon after meeting with Dudley Council’s strategic director for place Alan Lunt to discuss plans to create a new Enterprise Zone at The Waterfront and bring the Midland Metro to Brierley Hill.

He said new Enterprise Zone proposal has now been submitted and will be reviewed by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Business Department with the hope that he’ll be able to make a further announcement about its progress in the autumn statement.

He said: “I know just how important this is and want to do anything I can to promote local growth and I don’t think Mike will let me waste any time."

Mr Wood said Mr Javid’s visit showed the Black Country was “absolutely not forgotten” by the Government and Dudley South could look forward to a “jobs, investment and skills” boost with the creation of a new Enterprise Zone in Brierley Hill and he said: “Five years from now this will have a very, very different feel about it."