ESSEX business leaders welcomed a delegation from the Far East in the hope of building trade links.

The president and vice-president of the Laos Chambers of Commerce visited the Claridon Group head office in Stanford-le-Hope.

The visit, jointly organised by Claridon Group and Essex Chambers of Commerce, is the largest business delegation to visit the UK from Laos.

Denise Rossiter, chief executive of the chambers, said: “International trade and the development of new export markets for Essex businesses is a key part of our day-to-day work.

“We hope that they will find their visit to Essex of real benefit and look forward to seeing closer trading links between our two countries in the future.”