PRIME Minister David Cameron paid a visit to a 150-year-old Southampton business as part of his trip around Hampshire.

Mr Cameron visited the county to set out the Conservative Party's third manifesto theme ahead of the upcoming General Election.

Before giving a speech on his belief that people deserve a reward after “years of sacrifice” he made an appearance at Martin's Rubber Company on Orchard Place, Southampton.

The company celebrated its 150th anniversary this year and is one of the longest-established businesses in the industry.

The origins of Martin's Rubber Company go as far back as 1865 when the first shop was opened on Bernard Street by John Hadlow Martin.

After trading for more than 50 years it moved to a new location at Oxford Street and in 1952 a new factory opened on Orchard Street.

Daily Echo:

Since then it has expanded and bought polyurethane products specialist Peartree Plastics in 1998 and took over adjoining pub Zenbar to use as a official company office.

The firm says its mission statement is to operate a profitable and sustainable business, to remain loyal to employees, and to act responsibly within the environment.

It is Mr Cameron's first visit to the area after appearing at the Farnborough Air Show last year and visiting Eastleigh during the by-election in February 2013.

Daily Echo:

He met workers at the town's Prysmian Cables & Systems before opening a new £2 million high-voltage lab.

Operations director Adam Hooper said: “Mr Cameron was interested in the fact that it was such a long established business and is still a family-run concern.

“He looked at the special manufacturing we do and some of the problems we have.

“We asked for his feedback on the banking crisis and whether UK banking was still in remission. We also told him we were finding it very hard to recruit graduate engineers and people with the right attitude.

“Mr Cameron was very interested in what we had to day, and on the subject of banking said there was still work to do.

“He certainly came across as someone who is aware of the issues and is trying to push policies in the right direction.

“It was nice to have the opportunity to discuss Government policies at such a high level.

“It's not every day you get to talk to the Prime Minister. It was a very special experience for our staff as well as a good way to start our 150th anniversary celebrations.”

During his visit Mr Cameron chatted to tool room staff and also spoke with apprentice Nathan Jones, who lives on the Waterside.

But the Prime Minister's visit, arranged through the Cabinet Office, was marked by tight security.

Mr Hooper added: “I wasn't even allowed to say who our visitor was until 20 minutes before he arrived.”