A £10m boost to the British biotech industry has been announced by the Government.

The funding will be used to help patients benefit from advances in medical science.

The move is part of a strategy to encourage bioscience in Britain, quicken the pace of medical discoveries, and encourage their practical use.

It comes in response to a report from the Bioscience Innovation and Growth Team (BIGT).

Recommendations in the report included setting up a national clinical trials agency to get new treatments to patients as quickly as possible, regulatory changes that support drug development, and financial initiatives designed to help biotech companies flourish.

Britain has more than 400 biotech businesses, employing more than 25,000 people with revenues of over £3bn.

But ministers and industry bosses agree that more must be done to ensure that British bioscience stays ahead of the field.

Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury said: "The UK bioscience sector is already a global success story but we cannot be complacent.

"We must create the best conditions for our bioscience industry, so it can help to improve our health and increase our wealth."