West Yorkshire's textile industry has been given a hand to boost its hi-tech expertise and become more environmentally friendly.

And former textile mills in Dewsbury will be turned into offices and industrial units with a £60,000 grant.

Two Bradford textile industry organisations have been awarded a total of £231,000 under the RETEX European funding scheme which is aimed at areas hit by the ailing industry.

Bradford University's Centre for Objective Measurement and Innovation Technologies has been awarded £133,000 to develop hi-tech equipment which can be used by textile firms to help boost their products and services.

Meanwhile, the Bradford-based Confederation of British Wool Textiles has been awarded two grants worth £98,000 to improve environmental performance in the industry.

One award is for £63,000 to help reduce the level of harmful chemicals used in sheep dip which enter the sewerage system and rivers when wool is processed.

The organisation, which helps the textile industry throughout the UK, has won a further £35,000 to help eliminate pollution caused by moth proofing agents used in the carpet yarn spinning process.

The grant for Dewsbury's former textile mills will go to Kirklees Council which runs a Building for Prosperity scheme. The aim is to stimulate investment in industrial and office property to create jobs.

Greg Dyche, the regional Government Office's European director, said today: "This is a real boost for those parts of our region where the textile industry is an important employer."

The new funding would help bring fresh ideas and improve the quality of life for the community.

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