Darlington MP Jenny Chapman says she feels confident about the economic future of Darlington after meeting the chamber of commerce.

Mrs Chapman met representatives from the North-East Chamber of Commerce to discuss her concerns about the town’s jobs prospects when the axe falls on the public purse.

Despite concerns about the town’s dependence on the public sector, the Darlington MP believes the skill set contained within the area is enough to secure a stable future.

She said: “We have so much to offer prospective employers who are looking to set up a business in the town.

“We are obviously extremely excited about the possibility of the Hitachi train building contract coming to Newton Aycliffe.

“This would not only create immediate jobs but also have a huge effect on the supply chain, it has been calculated that every £1 of public money invested will result in £48 coming back into the local economy.

“With figures like that, the Government should be hard pressed not to back the campaign, but it will be a political decision which we will have to wait for.

“The government cannot say they want to reduce the dependency of the North-East on the public services then not back these proposals.

“But the economy of the North-East is not just about making trains. It is about producing goods to export and putting ourselves back on the map.”

“The chamber of commerce is putting on the pressure as much as anybody to make this a reality.”

Hitachi wants to build the next generation of passenger trains in Newton Aycliffe, employing up to 800 people and creating 8,000 jobs in the supply chain.

A report released this week showed the boost the North- East would receive – £660m over 20 years – if the Government allows the £7.5bn Intercity Express Programme to escape the cutbacks.

Mrs Chapman added: “The public spending cuts will inevitably have an effect, but there will still be opportunities out there. The skills of the work force will bring people up here.

“We have well-educated, well-trained local people who are more than capable of producing excellent quality work.”