PRIME Minister David Cameron proclaimed Basildon “has a special place in my heart” as he praised the town’s economy.

Mr Cameron was responding to a question posed by MP Stephen Metcalfe during today's Prime Minister’s Questions.

Tory Mr Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, pointed to the New Holland tractor plant as proof of the area’s economic success.

Addressing Mr Cameron, he said: “One in ten of the world’s tractors are built in Basildon and not an Airbus A380 flies without a part built in Basildon.

“Thurrock is not only home to the largest inward investment in the south-east, attracting investment from world-renowned organisations such as the Royal Opera House.

“All this is leading to job creation and opportunity. Will he do all he can to ensure Britain remains a great place to do business and prosper in?”

Mr Cameron said: “Basildon has a special place in my heart. I didn’t know all those statistics, but now it has an even more special place.

“I can tell him that the long-term youth claimant count in his constituency is down by 42 per cent in the last year.

“He spoke about what a good place Basildon is to do business. I am pleased to say we are now sixth in the world for the best place to set up and run a business.”

Mr Cameron also used mention of the New Holland plant as an opportunity to poke fun at Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, whose new communications chief Seumas Milne has been depicted as having extreme left-wing views.

The Prime Minister said: “I know the leader of the opposition, not least because his new spokesman is apparently a great admirer of the Soviet Union, will be very pleased to start the day with tractor statistics.”