People who work from home in the West Midlands now have a new office service available that will let them rent conference facilities for short periods of time as and when they need them.

Sandwell Council has teamed up with the Applewood Grove Training and Enterprise Centre to offer the 'hot desking' facilities, which can be hired by the hour and offer use of computers, photocopying facilities and other office services that might not be readily available in many home offices.

Local council member for jobs and economy, Ian Jones, said the centre had been created in response to the needs of the rising number of small land home-run businesses in the area.

"It will give you the professional environment to impress clients that you can't recreate if you work from home or don't have a permanent office," he said.

"Hot desking at the centre allows you to meet clients or work on major projects, away from the home or your office environment. You can also book conference room facilities, access a large computer suite and reception services without having to pay hotel conference room prices."

The centre will also provide information on what Sandwell Council's economic development services can provide in support of small businesses in the area.