LONDON Mayor Boris Johnson was in Keighley to meet staff at a booming business which makes hi-tech clamps for engine exhausts - including his own "Boris Buses".

Global success Teconnex, has doubled its staff to 400 workers in the last six years and has just finished a £2 million expansion programme at its Chesham Street headquarters in this financial year with 80 per cent of products going for export.

The company makes sophisticated ring clamps which join metal tubing - especially in exhaust and turbo systems for all combustion powered vehicles be they trucks, Boris Buses or the new Eurofighter.

Prospective MP Mr Johnson joined Keighley MP Kris Hopkins for an hour-long tour of the production site where he met new employees Ryan Storton, 19 and Ian Dade, 31.

Mr Storton said the company's growing success meant everyone was enthusiastic.

"This is my first job and it's just a brilliant place," he said.

Mr Johnson said: "This is an amazing success story achieved with courage and vision.

"They saw the market for these clamps was growing and they really piled in.

"They've been very clever in spotting a market for this very high spec stuff and these clamps they make are absolutely vital to our success in London in combatting air pollution."

Managing director Paul Sleaford said: "We are actively recruiting at the moment so a visit like this is great because it raises our profile at a time when we are looking for more engineers," he said.

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said it was an example of how Yorkshire helps the UK economy.

"In Bradford and across the north people want to make that contribution.

"Keighley has a huge history of manufacturing and this is niche engineering turning into massive success," Mr Hopkins said.