SWINDON firms look to be in good shape for the New Year, according to a CBI survey.

The twice-yearly research of 3,500 bosses across the UK published today predicts a bright future for south west businesses.

While most regions expect slow export orders over the next year, the south west should see strong growth.

In addition, the region is expected to see much-needed rises in employment, following heavy losses in the manufacturing industry over the summer.

CBI spokesman Sir Graham Hall, described the results as "encouraging."

It's not all good news for Swindon, however. Firms across the UK struggled to make profits over the last year, with the lowest margins recorded in the southwest.

With unemployment looking to drop even lower, Mr Hall warned of a possible recruitment crisis.

"We need to invest now in training the current workforce to take full advantage of the opportunities the expected upturn will bring," he said.

It seems the southwest is ahead of the game on this score however.

The findings reveal southwest bosses are more likely to shell out for staff training than any other region, with 75 per cent saying they had paid for some kind of training in the past year.

Respondents were also asked to list the factors that were most likely to prevent growth.

Inadequate Government support came top, with six of the ten regions saying they needed the Government on their side.

Swindon Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dennis Grant agreed with the survey's findings.

He said: "I am dealing with businesses five days a week and from what I have heard there is more good news than bad."

But he stressed that it is difficult to accurately narrow the findings down to a local level.

"Swindon is located in a very diverse region. You have cows in one area and factories in another.

"This forecast is good but we should not be complacent."

Kevin Shoesmith