Salad crop growers and horticulturist were invited to the Houses of Parliament to discuss the future of the industry in the area.

Epping Forest MP Dame Eleanor Laing welcomed industry professionals for the launch a report by the Lea Valley Food Board.

Titled 'Closing the Gap', the report looks at the board's past four years of work in an area known as a centre of glasshouse horticulture and producer of salad crops.

Dame Eleanor said: "I was delighted to welcome businesses from the Epping Forest area to the House of Commons for this important event.

"It is good to see everyone working together to promote the economic development of our area.

"Epping Forest District Council have been very active and very successful in their excellent work in this respect. On behalf of the local community I would like to thank them all."

The report deals with industry issues such as the high cost of land available on the outskirts of London and losing workers to the city.

The event was attended by 50 guests including district council food board chairman councillor Richard Bassett.

The Lea Valley Food Board was formed in 2013 to look at the challenges and opportunities facing the glasshouse industry in the area.

Following the publication of 'Closing the Gap' the board will disband.