DARWEN businessmen joined their local MP, Jake Berry, at a special reception celebrating northern businesses with Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne.

The reception, which took place in Number 11’s State Drawing Room, was attended by more than 100 businessmen and women from across the north of England.

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Kenley Warehousing and Distribution director Andrew Walker, WEC Group director Wayne Wild talked economics with the chancellor at the prestigious event.

Mr Osborne, who represents Tatton in Cheshire, stressed that the north of England had as large an economy as London and that it was the fastest growing part of the UK economy as a whole.

He pledged to improve transport and scientific research facilities in the North to ensure that the region can do even better in future.

The reception followed the launch of the government’s flagship Northern Powerhouse policy, a blueprint for economic growth in the north they say will create 100,000 more jobs in the region, as well as see investment in transport and infrastructure.

Mr Berry said: “We are very lucky to have such world-class businesses in our area and I was really pleased to invite a few of them down to meet the chancellor at this special reception.

“We are seeing more and more jobs being created in East Lancashire and it is thanks to innovating companies like WEC and Kenley.”