Development agency chief executive Harry Knowles is cautiously optimistic about future prospects for the local economy.

The Furness Enterprise boss said he felt the county's economy would prove to be more resilient than other areas of the country, particularly those more dependent on financial services.

Speaking at the annual meeting of Furness Enterprise in Barrow tonight, Mr Knowles said the area had a strong range of business and industry, from sub-sea engineering to electronics and defence.

He also stressed the importance of regeneration solutions developed and delivered at a local level, and highlighted a number of successful initiatives spearheaded by Furness Enterprise during the past year.