West Cornwall MP, Andrew George and the CBI South West will host a lunch with business leaders in West Cornwall today, with restoration of the passenger helicopter service to the Isles of Scilly on the menu.

The event at 1pm at the Queens Hotel in Penzance will have the chairman of AgustaWestland UK, Graham Cole, who is also chairman of the Confederation of British Industry (South West), as the primary speaker.

Mr George said he and Mr Cole have been working together on plans to restore the passenger helicopter service to the Scillies and "this may be referred to during the lunchtime meeting".

Adding: "It will also be an opportunity to reflect on the encouraging growth figures for the UK and to discuss how poorer regions, like Cornwall, can make sure they take full advantage of the upturn.

Mr George is also arranging private meetings between Mr Cole and certain local businesses and local stakeholders.

Mr George said: “I appreciate Graham coming to the area to jointly host this business lunch. The CBI is a powerful voice for British industry and it is important that we in West Cornwall have the full support of the CBI in promoting our aspirations, and to make sure that we share in the growth which the UK is experiencing and that it is not just a phenomenon of the South East.

“The CBI lunch will be an opportunity for some of our leading businesses and representatives to be consulted on Government programmes and recent trends in economic development. Graham and I want to support the local business agenda and to ensure that the Government understands what businesses in West Cornwall need in order to both contribute to the recovery and enjoy the benefits of it.”