Lowestoft is well placed to make the most of an economic upturn the chancellor George Osborne has said on a visit to the town's Bird Eye factory today.

Mr Osborne gave his upbeat message about the town's future as he toured the factory in Whapload Road and joined staff on one of its production lines.

After his tour of the factory, which directly employs 550 people, Mr Osborne said: 'I think there is great potential here. I came away from this visit with a view about how more jobs and businesses could be brought here if we stick to our economic plan.

'There is real potential from the oil and gas offshore industries.'

Mr Osborne that said his government knew the importance of investing in transport infrastructure to boost businesses.

'The infrastructure is important for the whole of East Anglia and Lowestoft in that it helps in attracting people, businesses and jobs to the area.'

Mr Osborne said he realised the importance of A47, A11 and A14 in the region and then turned his attention to the repeated calls for Lowestoft to get a third crossing over Lake Lothing.

He said he had been brought up to date by Peter Aldous, Waveney MP and Mark Bee, leader of the Suffolk County Council, on a transport prospectus for the town, which included a third crossing.

Today's tour also saw Mr Osborne praise the staff and management of Birds Eye factory, which has seen £23m of investment over the last four years.

He said: 'It is a really great company. The staff are hard working and there is a great atmosphere and working relationship here.'

After his tour of Birds Eye Mr Osborne also visited the new company Extremis Technology in nearby Wilde Street, which aims to make emergency shelters and received support from a government business start up scheme.

Mr Osborne then headed to Norwich where he is expected to make a major announcement about investment in the rail line between Norwich and London.