MORE centres to link up businesses and scientists in Oxfordshire could be on the way as the county seeks to capitalise on Brexit.

Despite warnings the UK's exit from the European Union could cause problems for high-tech research, business leaders and Oxford University also believe the county's top scientific credentials put it in a strong position to win Government investment.

Science and technology are a priority in the new industrial strategy, with Oxfordshire – along with Cambridge and Milton Keynes – part of the so-called 'brain belt' where the most jobs are based.

Professor Ian Walmsley, Oxford University's pro vice-chancellor for research and innovation, said helping scientists to 'spin out' their ideas into new companies would be key to the UK's future.

Speaking at the opening of a new 'innovation accelerator' at Begbroke Science Park – a centre built to foster small, high-tech businesses – he said success stories already included driverless car firm Oxbotica and 3D printing firm OxSyBio.

Prof Walmsley said: "Oxbotica started out in Begbroke, using the site to test its vehicles.

"That is the kind of way university research can really make a difference to the world.

"One way to take that forward is through spin-out companies. The number of spin-outs is really taking off and that is being fuelled by what I would call a unique set of circumstances."

According to the university, in 2016 a record 21 spin-outs were formed from research being carried out by its scientists.

It has also launched Oxford Sciences Innovation, a venture capital fund of almost £600m to pump into start-up companies.

The Begbroke accelerator is one of two 'incubators' for these types of firms it has helped to create, using about £30m from 2014's the Oxford City Deal,

The other is the 'BioEscalator', in Headington – for companies focusing on medical research – but there will be others in the future, Prof Walmsley added.

According to a new 'strategic economic plan' published by Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP), high-tech research and manufacturing now accounts for 14 per cent of employment in the county; about 46,000 people.

Oxfordshire's above-average economic growth and its position as a 'net contributor' to the Treasury – meaning it pays more in tax than it takes in spending – makes it an attractive place for the Government to invest more money, OxLEP says.

chairman Jeremy Long said: "We are in a region with enormous potential."

Sectors that are strongest in Oxfordshire include advanced engineering and manufacturing, as well as space technology and biosciences.

It is hoped that major national schemes, particularly the Oxford-Cambridge Expressway and East West Rail, will also improve the county's links to other booming areas on the brain belt.

Nicola Blackwood, Oxford West and Abingdon MP and a junior health minister, said on Friday: "We must be under no illusion about the fact that it is smaller, leaner and highly-skilled [businesses] that will only become more important to the economy. The Government knows this."