The Barrow-born boss of a major pharmaceutical company sat next to US president Donald Trump at an event today.

Emma Walmsley, chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, which has a plant in Ulverston, was among 10 business leaders invited to the business roundtable at St James's Palace, co-hosted by Mr Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May.

Also around the table was Sir Roger Carr, chairman of BAE Systems, which has its Submarines facility in Barrow.

Five UK companies were chosen to attend the breakfast event, because of their large presence in America, along with five American firms.

It was part of Mr Trump's three-day state visit to the UK.

Prince Andrew, The Duke of York and Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka, also attended.

Mrs Walmsley said prior to the event: "The US is one of the most important sources of healthcare innovation in the world.

"Life sciences is also a strategic strength for the UK and there is a great opportunity for us to partner further to retain and accelerate both countries’ global leadership in this sector, generating better outcomes for patients and economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic."

Sir Roger said: "Our relationship with the USA is long-standing and operates to our mutual benefit on the firm foundation of trust, transparency and true partnership."

Mr Trump, who wrote The Art of the Deal, said the the US was already the UK's largest trading partner and that he believed there was scope for further expansion.

Mrs May said that there were huge opportunities for Britain and the US to work together in the future.

She said: "I think the range of companies around this table shows us the huge scope of transatlantic business links that we have between the US and the UK.

"It is a great partnership, but I think it’s a partnership that we can take even further.

"That’s with of course a bilateral free trade agreement.

"I think there are huge opportunities for us to seize together, and challenges for us to work together on to tackle as well."

Prior to the meeting, the Government said discussions were expected to focus on research, development and innovation and investment in infrastructure.