A survey has revealed the technology triangle between Swindon, Gloucester and Bristol is the top choice for technology entrepreneurs, despite the fact local councils and colleges continue to overlook their contribution to the regional economy.

Laurence Hedditch, technology partner at professional services firm Deloitte, said: "While this region's farmers and tourism businesses have a strong voice and lobby, the time may well have come for the West's technology sector which represents a major source of current and future economic wealth to have more of a voice.

"We have demonstrated these companies now represent a huge contribution to the west's economy, employment and future prospects a contribution which probably exceeds the region's traditional reliance on agriculture and tourism."

Commissioned by Deloitte, the survey shows that most of the region's fast-growth technology companies consider the south west the best place for their businesses and that, perhaps more importantly, they would recommend it as a location for other technology entrepreneurs.

However, nearly 90 per cent of those who took part in the survey claim to have seen no evidence of local councils, planners, development agencies or Government bodies "recognising or appreciating the value and importance of technology companies".

Worse, almost half the companies continue to be dogged by a lack of suitably skilled recruits.

New employees are generally captured from other technology firms already operating in Silicon Gorge.

"Surveys over the past two years have underlined this crucial point," said Mr Hedditch.

"Technology companies are now a vital and growing component of the west's economy but are consistent in reporting a lack of suitably skilled recruits."

However, despite the fact many of the technology triangle companies claim they suffer compared with other regions who benefit from grant-aid funding, they continue to be successful.

Said Mr Hedditch: "The west's Silicon Gorge is close to heavily grant-aided localities in South Wales and Cornwall.

"The Technology Fast 50 survey proves, however, that Silicon Gorge, even without those grants, is very successful in attracting and keeping technology winners."