ABOUT 60,000 jobs were created or safeguarded in the past year with the help of Government grants totalling £408m, a new report has shown.

More than 570 regional assistance grants helped secure £3.4bn of business investment, according to Department of Trade and Industry figures.

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "This report illustrates how the Government can work with industry to harness the true talent and entrepreneurial flair of our business communities.