A NEW Enterprise Zone could be set up Keighley if the Conservatives win power in the election, Chancellor George Osborne announced on a visit to the town yesterday.

Mr Osborne was the latest big-hitter to head to the key marginal seat, as the battle between Labour and the Tories intensifies ahead of polling day.

He toured Timothy Taylor's brewery, as his party revealed what it would do for Yorkshire during the first 100 days of a Conservative government.

This included a pledge to start talks with the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to set up new Enterprise Zones in Keighley, Halifax, the Colne Valley, Dewsbury and a number of other towns and cities.

Enterprise Zones typically offer rate relief schemes, simplified planning processes and superfast broadband to help create jobs in a given area.

Although full details of the plan have not yet been revealed, the T&A understands LEPs would have to bid to have a zone set up in their area, and not all the towns mentioned would definitely qualify.

Mr Osborne said: "We're the only party that has a clear plan for Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, and is able to hit the ground running to create a brighter future for people here.

"There couldn't be a clearer choice. People can either vote for political instability and economic chaos, with a weak Ed Miliband controlled by the Scottish Nationalists, which will mean jobs lost, incomes cut and projects cancelled in Yorkshire, or people can choose David Cameron and the Conservatives, who will get straight back to work implementing this timetable for a stronger Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire."

Mr Osborne was joined on his visit by Local Government Minister Kris Hopkins, who is fighting for re-election in Keighley in what could be one of the closest contests in the country.

The Chancellor acknowledged how tight the battle for the seat would be.

He said the people of Keighley and Ilkley faced a "really clear choice" on May 7, and urged voters to focus on what that choice would mean for their area.

He said Mr Hopkins was "putting West Yorkshire on the map in Westminster and delivering for the local area", and warned that a Labour-led government would overlook this sort of constituency.

He said: "I don't think areas like Keighley and Ilkley and the like would get a look-in."

Mr Osborne and Mr Hopkins got stuck in with production during a tour of the brewery, adding hops to water, sealing up barrels of beer and sampling a drink at the end.

Other candidates in Keighley are John Grogan (Labour), Ros Brown (Green Party), Gareth Epps (Liberal Democrats) and Paul Latham (Ukip).