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

The CBI document reveals 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 Keighley MP Kris Hopkins, who urges companies to utilise the positive position. “There can be no room for complacency,” he said.

“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 strong manufacturing, with West Yorkshire leading the way.”

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

“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.

“I am proud to have a significant number of renowned manufacturing firms based in Keighley and Ilkley, many spanning several generations. We need to do what we can to support them as they continue to lead us out of the economic doldrums we found ourselves in after the deepest recession in our lifetimes.”

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