MP: East Anglia could be California of Europe

A Norfolk MP says East Anglia could become the California of Europe - thanks to its wealth of technology and science-based businesses.

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman said the region boasted a number of world-class technology clusters such as Silicon Fen in Cambridge and biomedical centres in Norfolk.

But the MP the Government was not doing enough to help improve the region's infrastructure and help it grow.

"For too long Norfolk and Suffolk have been neglected by London governments as rural backwaters... We will never build a 21st century economy with 19th century infrastructure."

The Tory MP is to chair a major conference on the future of the East Anglian regional economy on Monday.

Commenting in advance of the conference, Mr Freeman said:

The conference takes place at Wherstead Park, Suffolk on Monday