THROUGHOUT the double dip recession many Oxfordshire businesses reported they were bucking the economic trend.

While most were affected by the credit squeeze and general downturn, there was a raft of evidence that county firms had used a combination of entrepreneurship, innovation and sheer determination to not only survive but prosper in the face of hardship.

Now it seems the recovery is in sight and once again Oxfordshire businesses are leading the way.

While other areas continue to flounder, every corner of this remarkable county has developments either happening now or in the pipeline that are generating thousands of jobs and well over £1bn for the local economy.

As well as traditional advantages such as location and the universities, there is growing evidence that Oxfordshire business is starting to join up and work together for a better future. Pulling the strings is the Local Enterprise Partnership co-ordinating Government investment into already successful centres such as Harwell and Milton Park.

Oxfordshire is blazing a trail for the rest of the country to follow. It’s time everyone else caught up.