A DEVICE that generates power from waves which has been developed in Manchester shared the top prize in a national contest. The Manchester Bobber, a venture backed by Manchester University and companies including ABB, was a joint winner of the Marine Energy Award for 2007.

MANCHESTER Junior Chamber of Commerce members collected four accolades at the Junior Chamber International UK awards in Doncaster. President Graeme Forrester, his wife Ashi Arora, the north west regional chairman, Piet van Gelder and Lee Williamson scooped the honours.

NORTH west business leaders David Brennan and Philip Green, the chief executives of AstraZeneca and United Utilities respectively, have been appointed along with Manchester University vice-chancellor Alan Gilbert to the new UK commission for Employment and Skills.