He saw the results of the £2 million investment the company has made to upgrade the site and improve its efficiency and its carbon footprint.

Mr Bellingham also presented several factory employees with certificates for achieving NVQ Level 2 in business improvement, a qualification which Foster wants to make available to all factory staff.

The first group of successful candidates were Mr Patrick Thompson, Mr Edward Brennock, Mr Christopher Thompson, Mr Adrian Everitt, Mr Kevin Barnes and Mr Michael Drewery.

Managing director Mr Paul Veried, said: "The investment we have made this year in our plant is testimony to our commitment in Lynn and we are proud to be a part of the local community and a UK manufacturer."

He said that 2007 has been a great year for Foster and the company was looking forward to 2008 to build on these successes and developments as well as celebrating 40 years in the town.

Foster's contracts and clients in 2006 and 2007 included supplying sporting venues such as the Emirates Stadium and Newmarket racecourse, Royal London Hospital and Birmingham University, The Connaught restaurant in Mayfair, the O2 dome and prestigious customers in Canary Wharf, such as Lehman Brothers and Barclays Bank.