CHANCELLOR of the Exchequer George Osborne took time off from preparing for tomorrow’s Royal Wedding by paying a flying visit to Ipswich today.

Mr Osborne visited the high-tech laboratories in University Campus Suffolk’s James Hehir building to see a new bio-tech industry that he hopes will help lead Britain’s recovery.

He said: “It is good to see what is happening here in Ipswich. This is the kind of new industry that is going to help drive the British economy forward.”

As he looked out over the Waterfront, he said the town had seen new investment, and this would continue from both the private and public sector.

He pointed out that government money had been pledged for a new traffic scheme in the town and for a new academy building that is set to replace Holywells High School.

Mr Osborne praised the record of the Conservative-led Ipswich council which managed to reduce council tax bills for the coming year.

He said: “What you want as local people is to have good local services. You also, as you have to pay for them through your council tax bill, want good value for money and again the money doesn’t come from anywhere else. It comes from local tax payers.”