Manufacturing companies are being offered a helping hand to race into the future with a service launched in Oxfordshire.

The Government's manufacturing advisory service, set up in partnership with the South East England Development Agency, was launched at the Williams Formula 1 centre in Grove, near Wantage.

The £1.35m centre in Hampshire will provide support, information, and advice on specific manufacturing subjects through workshops and seminars.

Launching the service, employment relations and regions minister Alan Johnson said: "This centre will make a real impact on the productivity of the manufacturing sector in the south east.

"We need to provide practical assistance and pragmatic advice to help British manufacturing companies to innovate and add value in an increasingly competitive environment."