Birmingham based Seal Communications helped put Walsall on to the national stage with a high profile media launch.

The story of the town's historic links with the leather industry was unveiled by retained client Walsall Regeneration Company (WRC).

And WRC highlighted the £600 millionplus framework which aims drive Walsall's renaissance over the next decade.

Eight major projects, some already under way, will see the town centre revitalised, canalside areas reborn and acres of derelict land rejuvenated.

A guest list of journalists and photographers, developers and regeneration experts were treated to helicopter flights giving bird's eye views of the borough.

Seal account director Nigel Pipkin said: "We spent months planning an event which was action-packed, had an electric atmosphere and which would generate a buzz."

The regional event will be followed with a national launch in London in January 2006, then international promotion at the MIPIM property exhibition in Cannes in March.

Dr Peter Cromar, chief executive of WRC, said: "The media interest generated was tremendous and now the townspeople, development and investment community are all excited which can only help us achieve our vision of 'Walsall - a town for Enterprise'."

WRC appointed Seal as its PR and marketing agency to help attract jobs and investment to the Black Country town.