YORK is now truly Science City. Latest figures show a seven per cent annual increase in science and technology jobs in Greater York.

That is 457 new jobs in the year to July, and brings the grand total of new jobs in the six years since the launch of Science City York to 2,641.

It is a huge endorsement of the work of Science City York, a partnership between the City of York Council and York University, in an area boasting at least 240 science, technology and creative firms.

With more than 9,000 people now employed in bioscience, IT and digital and creative technologies along with support occupations, it represents about ten per cent of the city's working population, equalling the tourism sector.

The vision for the future is that as the digital games, multimedia, food science, healthcare and creative technology firms grow, science and technology will be at the heart of York's economy, with 15,000 hi-tech jobs targeted by the year 2021.

Announcing the figures today, Tony Bennett, the city's assistant director for economic development and an executive director for Science City York, said: "This is fantastic for York and shows the success of Science City York in creating exciting and rewarding career opportunities for local people."

A breakdown of the figures shows that:

The fastest growing area or "cluster" is Creative York, which has expanded by 12 per cent in a year and now employs 921 people in 58 heritage, arts and creative technology organisations.

Bioscence York is the largest cluster, growing by six per cent and employing 3,698 people in 54 bioscience and healthcare organisations.

The IT & digital cluster grew by seven per cent and now employs 2,423 people in 105 organisations.

Science City York's business development team has helped has helped 19 new businesses to get off the ground as part of its specialist support for start ups and fast growing science and technology ventures.

Updated: 09:41 Wednesday, October 20, 2004