FOREIGN secretary Jack Straw was full of beans when he visited Meltham yesterday.

The cabinet minister was in town to try and boost the campaign of Colne Valley labour candidate Kali Mountford.

Mr Straw spent an hour being shown around the Bolling Coffee business, based on the Bent Ley Industrial Estate.

The business has been growing at over 20 per cent a year over the last decade and now has a turnover of around £5m.

Ms Mountford, who won the seat in 1997, said: "This is an example of the outstanding successes of local businesses.

"It's grown because it's made sure it delivers the right product to customers.

"The company also wants to try to treat everybody properly, right through the supply chain and at all stages of production."

Mr Straw said he was pleased with what he had seen.

He added: "I was invited by Kali to come up and see for myself successes in this area.

"Companies like this are thriving and creating new jobs.

"The visit and tour has been really interesting."

Company boss Ian Balmforth said the company was in great shape because they had been producing the right products at the right time in the right place.

He said: "The economy has done very well, though I'm concerned about the potential effects of public spending on inflation and interest rates."

He said he had enjoyed taking Mr Straw around the plant.

He added: "It's fantastic that one day he can be at the United Nations and the next day he's in Meltham drinking our coffee."