Cumbria converged on the capital in an impressive show of force, declaring: "We've got it all here."

Parliamentary powerbrokers sampled some of the finest flavours the county has to offer as the second Cumbria Day was held at Westminster.

From Carlisle's legendary Carr's Tablewater biscuits, to Grasmere gingerbread and whisky from The Lakes Distillery, there was something for everyone.

But it wasn't just about fine food and drink at the London showcase.

The event, in the Clement Attlee Suite at Portcullis House, brought to the fore the ingenuity that's seeing growing attention on the county not just as a place of traditional rural industry, but cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurship.

Eighteen businesses handpicked by the county's six MPs showed off their products and skills to hundreds of visitors at the event.

Copeland MP Jamie Reed told the audience that the international importance and high standard of produce and products that come from Cumbria cannot be underestimated.

He said: "An awful lot of work has gone into today. The businesses here are a bit like a swan, serene on top but paddling like mad underneath the water.

"You’ve got members of Parliament and their staff from all over the country coming here to sample not just what’s the best of Cumbrian produce but the best of the whole UK when it comes to produce.

"What we’re trying to do is demonstrate to the rest of the country what Cumbria is all about. It’s not just nuclear, not just submarines or agriculture, but fantastic produce.

"If this were a region of France it would be one of the most celebrated and recognised food areas."

Carlisle MP John Stevenson, Workington's Sue Hayman, Penrith and the Border's Rory Stewart and Westmorland and Lonsdale's Tim Farron also all spoke passionately about that the county has to offer.

Barrow MP John Woodcock was unable to be there because he was at trade event in China, but Graham Haywood, chief executive of headline sponsors Cumbria Local Enterprise, spoke on his behalf.

He said: "About 92 per cent of all businesses on Cumbria are small businesses and no matter how many times you travel around Cumbria you’re always finding something new and some of the micro businesses that work together are fabulous."

Among the businesses there were Carlisle companies McVitie's and Calder Foods. They were joined by the likes of Wigton firm Claire's Handmade Jams and Condiments, Carlisle's Kingmoor Park and the team behind The Lakes Distillery at Bassenthwaite.

Also there was the Choose Cumbria initiative - part of Times & Star publishers CN Group - which is playing a high-profile role in promoting the county as a great place to live, work and invest.

Mrs Hayman praised the influence small firms - many of them food and drink companies - in her constituency, saying: “These businesses are the life and soul of our communities, they’re what makes us tick and encourages people to come over to us. "

And she issued a challenge to those gathered.

"When most people think of Cumbria, they think of the Lake District, Kendal Mint Cake and Grasmere Gingerbread but it’s so much more. When people think of the west, they think of the nuclear industry but again we’re so much more," Mrs Hayman added.

“Everyone that’s been here today and enjoyed the food and drink, come up to Cumbria, if you’ve not seen the sun set over the Solway Firth you have not lived. It’s one of the best views in the world."