MANUFACTURERS in the region have endorsed comments by multi-millionaire inventor Sir James Dyson that Britain's only chance of prosperity in the 21st Century lies in reinvigorating its manufacturing industry.

Sir James used the 29th Richard Dimbleby Lecture last night to warn that service industries would not sustain the British economy forever.

He said he wanted to challenge long-held views that technology and manufacturing were old fashioned and rejected the idea that future success "rested in the hands of the stylists".

Sir James' comments were supported by Alan Hall, of the Northern branch of the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF), who said a healthy service sector should run alongside a manufacturing base.

Mr Hall said: "As we have seen in recent years, the logistical complications of dealing with overseas suppliers have made the need for our own manufacturing industry essential.

"I think there is a long-term future for manufacturing in this country."

In his address, at Wilton's Music Hall, in London, Sir James, who made a fortune from his self-named vacuum cleaner, urged the British people to accept that manufacturing was the future.

Sir James described how he was fiercely criticised for building a successful industry and compared this to the esteem in which retailers are held.

Sir James' lecture follows his resignation as chairman of the Design Museum in September.

He resigned after five years in the post, saying the museum was betraying its original purpose as laid out by founder Sir Terence Conran.