SWINDON and Wiltshire has been designated a high-value engineering hot spot, according to the Advanced Engineering 2018 league table.

Advanced Engineering, the largest engineering trade show, has published the league table of the top 20 of places in the UK ahead of its tenth show in Birmingham on October 31.

Swindon came in at 18 on the list, only a few spaces behind much larger cities Manchester, Southampton and Birmingham, known for their industry.

Organisers congratulated Swindon on making it into the top 20 for the first time.

Alison Willis, industrial divisional director at Easyfairs, organiser of the show, said: “High-value manufacturing provides highly-skilled jobs across the country, and congratulations to Swindon and Wiltshire for securing a spot in the top 20 of our advanced engineering hotspots league table.

“As we celebrate our 10th year, we are looking forward to seeing thousands of engineers and companies from the area, and indeed more widely from around the UK and globally, to see at first-hand the latest developments in the industry.”

Rob Church, from Marlborough-based semi-conductor firm John P Kummer, said: “It’s fantastic that Swindon and Wiltshire have broken into the top 20 advanced engineering hotspots in the UK for the first time.

“We are pleased to be flying the flag for the area at Advanced Engineering 2018, which provides an unrivalled opportunity to meet thousands of engineers and show them what you can do.

“At the exhibition we’ll meet existing and potential clients, and also to see the latest innovations in other sectors. Come and join us at the NEC.”

The show, held at the NEC Birmingham on October 31 to November 1, brings together over 700 firms and more than 15,000 engineers from small and large companies across the UK.

For more information about Advanced Engineering 2018, or to register for a free ticket go to www.advancedengineeringuk.com.