A SENIOR Government minister praised a Steeton-based business "success story" during a visit to the village.

Leader of the House of Commons William Hague toured Acorn Stairlifts alongside Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Keighley Kris Hopkins.

Mr Hague, who has previously been Foreign Secretary and Conservative Party leader, said: "This is a very impressive business, and one of the terrific things about it is its success in exporting. More than half of the business is based on export.

"This is creating good, skilled jobs for the future, which is a tribute to the staff and management here.

"When we run the economy well that gives companies like Acorn the confidence to invest and expand.

"One of the most important things we've done as a Government has been to cut corporation tax from 28 per cent to 20 per cent, which allows firms to invest more and employ more people."

Mr Hague was shown around the firm's premises in Millennium Business Park, Station Road earlier this afternoon (April 8) by company secretary Dave Belmont and factory manager Andrew Longthorne.

Responding to the visit, Mr Longthorne said: "I think it's great for the company. We showed Mr Hague how we manufacture our product from raw materials to the finished product and how we distribute it.

"He was very impressed, especially with the growth that we've experienced over the last few years. In the factory part of the business our staff numbers have increased from half a dozen to about 100."

Mr Belmont explained to Mr Hague how the firm also contributes to the community, noting that it has raised £40,000 for Manorlands Hospice in the last four years.

He added: "We were very pleased and happy to show Mr Hague what we are doing. For a cabinet minister to come and see us is quite an honour."

Mr Hopkins said companies such as Acorn Stairlifts in Steeton and Teconnex in Keighley have played an important role in helping to reduce unemployment in the district.

"Unemployment in Keighley has dropped by 30 per cent over the last four years, so that is a lot of people who are no longer benefit-dependent and reliant on the state," he said.

"This is what people want, they want to be able to stand on their own feet, and that's what a company like this is helping people to do.

"There is a great atmosphere at Acorn and the staff work as a team."

Mr Hague said: "I'm here to support Kris as the Conservative candidate because I think he's done a great job over the last five years. I've seen for myself in the House of Commons that he's a very effective representative for this area."