Biddulph is set to benefit from a slice of more than £23.7 million to be invested in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire projects.

The money, from the Government's Getting Building Fund, aims to boost the economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and is expected to create approximately 2,900 jobs across 11 strategic projects.

Successful applications from the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SSLEP) include the next phase of Keele University's Innovation Centre, the i54 Western extension on the South Staffordshire Wolverhampton border, and a digital and constructions skills project at Stoke-on-Trent College.

Biddulph is also expected to benefit from some of the funding, with £651,000 being allocated to a new 'Staffordshire Local Sustainable Transport Package'.

This will be used to create 3.6km of walking and cycling routes in towns including Biddulph, Eccleshall and Uttoxeter.

Alun Rogers, SSLEP chair, said: "These bids by the Enterprise Partnership are all for 'shovel ready' projects to be delivered by March 2021, which will support our economy and create jobs as we bounce back from the pandemic.

"We are delighted to be able to partner these projects the length and breadth of the region and by supporting the Government to build back better, build back greener and build back faster.

"Our Getting Building Fund projects are part of the implementation of our Local Industrial Strategy, encouraging our local economy's recovery and ultimate growth."

Other projects around the area will deliver support for businesses through new innovation and enterprise space, investment in digital skills for young people, and improvements to transport infrastructure which will unlock new housing sites and enable more travelling and commuting without relying on the car.

It is expected the SSLEP Getting Building projects will support the creation of 2,440 jobs and safeguard another 110, while also creating 440 construction jobs.

Projects will unlock 115,000 square metres of commercial floorspace, 2,000 square metres of learning space and support 1,150 learners.

Alun Rogers added: "Not only do we pave the way for new projects and future innovation, these schemes will improve infrastructure and support existing jobs."

Philip White, Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council and Cabinet member for Economy and Skills, said: "Our role as a county council is to create the right conditions for our economy to grow so that new businesses succeed and existing ones prosper, so that we can create more good quality jobs for residents, which is the foundation of living a healthy, happy and productive life.

"Staffordshire's reputation for delivering its infrastructure projects means central government can be confident that money invested in our area will be used effectively and I'm delighted we've received this funding for these schemes, which are ready to go and will be a big boost to the county's economy."

The allocated projects are:

• Drakelow Park, Burton-upon-Trent (£5.05 million)

• Enterprise Centre, Corporation Street, Tamworth (£190,000)

• Innovation Centre Seven, Keele University (£6.1 million)

• New Enterprise Collaboratory, Stoke-on-Trent (£500,000)

• 'Powering Up' - Enterprise, Stoke-on-Trent (£2.8 million)

• I54 Western Extension, South Staffordshire (£3 million)

• Health Innovation Centre, Staffordshire University (£2.89 million)

• Skills Equipment Fund – Digital Skills Academy, South Staffordshire College (£550,375)

• Skills Equipment Fund - Creative Industries Project (£250,000) and Digital and Construction Skills Project, Stoke-on-Trent College (£120,000)

• Shire Hall Regeneration Project, Stafford (£1.6 million)

• Staffordshire Local Sustainable Transport Package (£651,000)