A MULTI-million pound organisation established to bring new jobs and wealth to North Yorkshire has met key Government targets, it was revealed.

Figures released by the Department for Trade and Industry show Yorkshire Forward safeguarded 10,888 jobs last year.

The government-funded regional development agency had been set a target of protecting 10,500 posts.

Yorkshire Forward also attracted 826 businesses to the region, reclaimed 104 hectares of brownfield land for industrial use and provided 24,264 "learning opportunities.

The target for attracting new businesses was 700.

It was also charged with reclaiming 86 hectares of brownfield land for industrial use and creating 14,000 learning opportunities, such as college places. DTI Minister Jacqui Smith said: "Yorkshire Forward has excelled itself in striving to meet its targets, producing some great results.

"It is important the agency and its partners build on these impressive results and keep up the good work."

The figures were published as a national survey revealed 65 per cent of people think the agency has been successful in developing an economic strategy for the region.

About 63 per cent think the agency is addressing the "right priorities".

Yorkshire Forward chairman Sir Graham Hall said: "The results confirm we are positively improving the economic development of the region, a great endorsement."

Updated: 10:46 Thursday, July 10, 2003