A new course to help fill the gap in Oxfordshire's booming biotech industry has been launched at the Oxford College of Further Education.

The college has received funding from the European Social Fund and expects the HNC course to grow over the next two years to keep pace with the biotech sector.

Trevor Irving, curriculum manager of science and maths at the college started to develop the course after British Biotech asked the college to provide places for six employees.

Mr Irving said: "We have a history of delivery biotech programmes at higher national and national level and at one time it was a thriving part of the college.

"However this declined because of employers taking on graduates. Three years ago we were asked to provide six places, but when Oxford Biolink was launched we were asked if we were willing to do a formal HNC so we have now developed the existing course."

The college has joined forces with Oxford Biolink and the Heart of England Training and Enterprise Council to provide the course, and has also liaised with Oxford Brookes University which runs a biotech degree course.

Mr Irving added: "We have worked alongside Oxford Biolink and have upgraded the existing units for the course as well as adding new ones.

"There will be a strong link with the biotech industry and we are seeking active participation with local industry. Students will also complete a work-based project." The course currently has five students, but Mr Irving is convinced that with the industry growing at such a fast rate, the course will be in demand.

He added: "The local biotech industry is set to grow even more and they will need technicians.

"We will train them and I believe we have got in ahead of the game."