A Cumbrian PR and marketing firm, 32West, will represent its region on a Northern Powerhouse trade mission to Ireland.

Selected by the Department for Business and Trade, 32West joins a delegation of businesses from the service sector to participate in several events in Dublin scheduled for later this month.

He said: "It is clear from the workshops delegates have attended to date that there is a huge opportunity for the northern UK services sector in the Republic of Ireland.

"The country's economy is growing at the fastest rate per capita of all the 27 EU member nations and there's a clear demand for the type of expertise that delegates' businesses are able to offer.

"From a 32West perspective, we already work with clients to achieve exposure for them at regional, national and international level - and that's across multiple sectors. So we very much feel we have a great proposition for Irish businesses."

As part of the government's efforts to promote UK products and services overseas, the Department for Business and Trade has arranged for the delegation to meet with the British Embassy in Dublin and participate in sessions at the Guinness Enterprise Centre.

The delegation will be joined by an international trade advisor, overseeing activity in Dublin with colleagues from the DBT.

James said: “The geographical proximity to the UK, close cultural and economic links, as well as numerous excellent transport connections by sea and air, make Ireland an ideal target market for 32West as we look beyond British markets for the first time."