A CASH boost of £85,000 is to be used to boost the international profile of Cheshire and Warrington as an agri-tech global centre of excellence.

The Cheshire Agri-Tech project is the only one of its kind in the north west and one of 25 projects nationally to benefit from the £2m GREAT UK Challenge Fund.

Katrina Michel, chief executive of Marketing Cheshire, said: “Cheshire and Warrington has enormous expertise in agricultural technologies.

"There are over 2,200 agricultural, forestry and fisheries businesses based here, with world class experience in breeding and animal science.

"We also lead the way in rare breeds, conservation and population control through Chester Zoo, the UK’s most popular zoo.

"Cheshire and Warrington is a world leader in this innovative industry and this grant from the GREAT UK Challenge Fund will enable us to promote on an international scale the best of what the area has to offer.”