A Penryn engineering company was invited to a select reception hosted by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves at 11 Downing Street.

MintMech supports the offshore, marine and mining industries, and representatives were invited by Truro and Falmouth MP Jayne Kirkham to celebrate British business and discuss the key opportunities and challenges facing small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Ms Kirkham described MintMech as “a great example of the high level of skills and resources Cornwall can supply to the rest of the country”.

Company cofounder Laurie Thornton said: “The Chancellor seemed genuinely interested to hear we are conserving a traditional Cornish export: skilled engineers. Cornwall has exported its skills around the world for centuries, and today MintMech regularly consults organisations in the USA, Canada and Japan.”