Bosses of Norfolk-based franchise businesses have met MPs to look at how franchises can help kickstart economic growth.

Norwich is home to Franchise Development Services which recently published figures indicating that more than 500,000 new jobs could be created in the UK over the next five years through franchising.

The meeting with city MPs Chloe Smith and Simon Wright comes as FDS recently celebrated its 30th anniversary becoming the country's leading experts in the field with affiliates around the world including Spain and Australia.

Founder Roy Seaman, said: 'Today we are working with companies like CeX, a new high street electronic gadget trading company, and have just started with a Norwich driving school, 5-DAY who are planning to sign their first franchise agreement before Christmas.

'The great thing is these companies will become household names in years to come and it is exciting to see them in their infancy knowing that they will become national brands in the future.'

Mr Seaman is also working with the Department of Trade and Industry to encourage more British companies to export by franchising their brands abroad, following the example of Mothercare, Burberry, Laura Ashley and The Body Shop.