A rallying call has been issued to Ilkley manufacturing firms in the wake of a top-level report.

The CBI document reveals that UK manufacturers are feeling more optimistic about their business prospects now than at any time in the past four decades.

The report has been welcomed by Ilkley MP Kris Hopkins, who urges companies to utilise the positive position.

“I hope manufacturing firms, both locally and nationally, will – as the CBI survey suggests – continue to take advantage of the increasingly positive economic outlook by creating more jobs, taking on new apprentices and raising production levels where they can.

“A successful UK economy needs a strong manufacturing industry, with West Yorkshire leading the way.”

Housing minister Mr Hopkins, who last Thursday chaired an event at 10 Downing Street for leading figures in the construction industry, paid tribute to Ilkley firms and said everything possible should be done to support them and others.

“The West Yorkshire economy has had a strong reliance on the service industry and professional services but it is by making things that sustainable economic growth can really be achieved,” he added.

On Friday, Mr Hopkins was a guest at the Keighley Association of Engineers’ 114th anniversary dinner.