A ST Helens business leader has backed the plans for high speed rail links with the town after seeing first hand the benefits it's made to businesses in Japan.

Alistair Poole, who is the managing director of NGF Europe in Lea Green, gave his support to HS2 and the plans for a high speed rail link with Liverpool at a business summit for leaders across the north west.

NGF Europe is part of the global NSG Group, which has its headquarters in Japan, and Alistair believes that a smart infrastructure in the country has led to smart logistics.

He said: "We need investment in skills, research and development and connectivity.

"Being part of a Japanese company, I’ve seen the benefit high speed rail has made to business there and that’s what we need here.

"Smart logistics need smart infrastructure.

"The High Speed Rail Linking Liverpool campaign matters to my business and it should matter to yours, so please sign the pledge."

The summit welcomed key stakeholders across the region, including representatives from education, professional services and export firms, to discuss the importance of HS2 to the north west economy.

Robert Hough, chairman of the Liverpool City Region Local Economic Partnership, said: "Tremendous progress has been made by partners across the Liverpool City Region in making the case for high speed rail for Liverpool, showing that working together and collaboration does work.

"That’s why the High Speed Rail – Linking Liverpool campaign is absolutely critical to ensuring that our economic strength and the need for increased connectivity is recognised.

"Business support for HS2 is already substantial and increasing daily.

"We want to encourage more businesses to show their own support and that of their workforce and similarly their customers, suppliers and their employees."

Businesses and individuals can pledge support for the campaign at www.highspeedrailliverpool.org