ST HELENS is to be a UK pilot for a scheme aimed at tackling urban decline and boosting growth first developed at America's famous Harvard Business School.

With the aid of a £275,000 European grant it is hoped it will add fresh impetus to the regeneration of the town.

Professor Michael Porter developed the city growth strategy at the prestigious business school in the 1990s and it is now being piloted in St Helens with financial backing from the Merseyside Objective One programme.

The £550,000 project aims to transform the town's urban core by attracting private sector partners.

Regeneration Minister Jeff Rooker who announced said: "St Helens, like wider Merseyside, has faced some tough years recently. This project will play an important role in turning those fortunes around, reducing unemployment rates, strengthening the local economy and challenging the negative perceptions held by potential investors.

"Being at the forefront of a new approach will do wonders for the regeneration of St Helens and I am sure this extra support from the Objective One programme will be warmly welcomed".

A separate scheme will upgrade nearby commercial properties and offer help with rent to attract firms from the creative sector.

A recent report revealed that a lack of suitable office space in St Helens is deterring firms in growth industries - such as multi-media, computing and software design - from relocating. More than 50 jobs should be created by the scheme.

Funding has been pledged from several sources - St Helens MBC (£1.25 million), the Northwest Development Agency (£400,000) and the borough's SRB programme (£300,000).