FOREIGN Secretary Philip Hammond pledged his support for apprentices during a visit to Wirral this afternoon.

He was invited on a tour of Bromborough-based firm Teledyne, CML Composites by Wirral South Tory candidate John Bell.

After meeting management and staff, Mr Hammond congratulated the firm saying: "Teledyne has taken on four apprentices, with a plan to take on more in the future.

"Apprentices are one of the great success stories of this last parliament."

He continued: "This is an interesting dynamic business growing, quite rapidly by the sound of it and is expected to grow even faster in the future.

"It's obviously in the cutting edge of technology and is a classic example.

"We've looked around a factory that's now focused on composites but with a little metal-working capability in the corner.

"Presumably, if I'd have come here ten years ago it would have been the other way around.

"That's the way things are going. If we want to remain ahead, want to remain globally competitive we need businesses that can look into the future, see which way the wind's blowing and invest in capital and get ahead of the curve.

"I could see as soon as I came through the door that this is a first-class business."

Mr Bell said: "I knew of Teledyne and the apprenticeship scheme and, because of my own background in education and apprentice training, was very interested in it.

"I was very keen on giving Mr Hammond the opportunity to see one one of our high-tech local businesses which are the future not just for this area, but for the UK."