There are hopes for more jobs in West Cumbria, as a county entrepreneur vows to grow his business.

Industry reports say Jonathan Brown, who recently bought and refurbished Underscar Manor at Keswick, is in talks over selling the MacKnight Food Group, which is based in Miami and Las Vegas.

Mr Brown, 51, who also owns the Grants Smokehouse smoked salmon business in Maryport, set up MacKnight after moving to Miami in his early 20s.

It has been reported by trade publications that Mr Brown is in talks with McCarthy Capital, a US private equity firm which already owns other seafood companies.

MacKnight is said to hold about 10 per cent of the US smoked salmon market.

The sale does not involve Grants in Maryport, and it is understood Mr Brown is seeking to further invest in the Cumbrian business which he set up after leaving Keswick School in 1984.

A spokesman for Grants, which employs about 100 people, said: “Until any sale is completed it would be remiss of Mr Brown to comment.

“However, we are pleased to confirm Grants continues to go from strength to strength and, whatever happens, it is our intention to further grow the business in 2019.

“We already supply customers across the globe from our two sites in Maryport, and we look forward to investing in new equipment and taking on more staff next year.

“This is a time of great uncertainty for all companies in the UK, particularly those involved in importing and exporting products, but our reputation for providing top quality smoked salmon has seen us thrive for more than 30 years and we are looking positively towards 2019, whatever challenges the wider economic landscape brings.

“As a Cumbrian family firm, nothing makes us prouder than having employed local people and contributed to the local economy for more than 30 years, and we look forward to doing so for many years to come.”

Mr Brown also has property, pet food and cosmetic businesses, and was recently reappointed as Ambassador At Large For Trade and Industry for the Caribbean island of Dominica.