A SHIPYARD designer, social enterprise and a high-tech web architecture firm are among the first clients to move in to the newly-opened Tremough Innovation Centre.

The £13 million project is aimed at providing businesses with access to support and to develop their ideas, accelerate growth and create jobs.

It will be able to support 70 businesses and is being operated by the University of Plymouth on behalf of Cornwall Council.

Six companies have moved in so far including Cool Earth, a social enterprise and environmental charity working to save the rainforest and formerly based at Cornwall College Camborne.

Matthew Owen, director, said it will provide an opportunity to meet other "innovative organisations".

"The centre has achieved one of the highest standards of environmental accreditation, so where better for a rainforest charity to set up."

James Beresford founded graphic design firm Collaborative Thought 18 months ago and said: "Moving to Tremough will help take my business to the next level.

"I'm looking forward to tapping into the creative community here and I'd like to be able to offer students learning opportunities."

Channel Computer, which was run from the home of founders Anna Barrington and Peter Graves, but with a team of seven, has outgrown that space.

Ms Barrington said: "We've not had room to grow the team as fast as demand would have led us to, so it's a great relief to be moving into a space where we have the physical room to expand."

The centre is the second to open in Cornwall – the first was Pool in 2010 – and is exceeding its targets, with businesses achieving an average growth of 40 per cent with 44 new jobs created.

The third centre at Truro is due to open in October.

County councillor for economy and regeneration Chris Ridgers said: "The success of Pool, in attracting businesses with high-growth potential, able to create employment, set the bar high and it is pleasing that Tremough has hit the ground running with businesses taking up residence from its opening."