Cameron hails Yorkshire innovation as he tours factories (with video)

Mr Cameron met staff at Surgical Innovations, just a short time after setting out the Government's strategy for economic growth in nearby Shipley, West Yorkshire.

The company, which was founded around 17 years ago, manufactures medical equipment for use in keyhole surgery.

Mr Cameron was shown around the business, which has around 100 workers, and watched through a window as employees, dressed in protective overalls, worked on components in sterile clean rooms.

He was then taken around the manufacturing facility, where staff explained various pieces of machinery used in their work.

In his speech in Shipley, Mr Cameron, who was wearing a navy blue suit and purple tie, promised to promote enterprise and said the economy had become too reliant on a few regions, such as London and the south east.

Professor Mike McMahon, a director, said he believed the Prime Minister had companies such as Surgical Innovations in mind when thinking about the future of Britain.

He said: "One of the problems in Britain at the moment is the tremendous decline in the manufacturing business.

"We've got over 100 employees and are bringing back manufacturing from off-shore and doing more and more in-house."

Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, said the company was a model for enterprise in the UK.

"I think what's so exciting here is you've got a company which has been based on innovation and flair as well as real passion for what they do and it's leading the field internationally," he said.

"The fact that it's happening here in Leeds is something we're extremely proud of.

"It shows that, if you get it right, if you've got the right model and business structure, you can make a success of manufacturing in Britain."

Mr Mulholland added: "It's great that the new Government is focused on economic success all round the country."