IPSWICH north MP Sir Michael Lord has given his seal of approval to the Star's Fightback campaign - boosting the town's battle against the recession.

IPSWICH north MP Sir Michael Lord has given his seal of approval to the Star's Fightback campaign - boosting the town's battle against the recession.

At the opening of one local firm's brand new offices the Conservative MP for Suffolk Central and Ipswich North said he “entirely supports” the campaign.

Cutting the ribbon at Experiences Connect on the Whitehouse Industrial Estate, Sir Lord said local firms are “crucial in the fightback against the recent recession.”

Experiences Connect officially took over an entire floor at Beacon House yesterday, announcing their expansion and plans to recruit a further 20 people into jobs at the prospering company.

Sir Lord said: “You only have to see and speak to young people as I have in the last few months, to realise how precious jobs are.

“To come to a company like this where they are at this moment recruiting 20 new jobs is really heart-warming.

“The national and local financial situation is by far and away the most important issue on the agenda of any member of parliament.”

Steven Wells, Ipswich Borough councillor and director of Experiences Connect which he founded with managing director Jon Garnham in February 2003, also gave his support for the campaign.

“The UK at the moment has far too many organisations and too many people willing to stick their heads in the sand rather than do something positive. The Evening Star is doing something positive and companies backing the campaign are doing something positive.

“If we continue to refuse to roll over and accept it this town will be a far better place.”

The company helps people who believe they have been mis-sold financial products to claim their money back. Since they started they have successfully claimed back about �120million for their customers.

They currently employ 72 members of staff and the workforce is set to expand to 78 by the end of this week and with 20 new jobs on the cards it could top 100 by the end of the year.

Rewarding their hard work, Sir Lord also presented a new award, 'Outstanding employee of the month' to Craig Hunt, who joined the company after working for a carpentry firm and has excelled in his role in the companies call centre.