LOWESTOFT found itself the focal point of the East of England today when the European Union Commissioner for Regional Policy visited the town.Danuta Hubner visited the town's Orbis Energy building at Ness Point where she unveiled a plaque as part of the centre's topping out ceremony.

LOWESTOFT found itself the focal point of the East of England today when the European Union Commissioner for Regional Policy visited the town.

Danuta Hubner visited the town's Orbis Energy building at Ness Point where she unveiled a plaque as part of the centre's topping out ceremony.

The £9m building, which is on schedule to be opened later this year, will house about 30 small to medium sized businesses involved in the offshore renewable energy sector.

Ms Hubner praised the development which she said would prove of great benefit to Lowestoft and the rest of the region.

She also visited Lowestoft seafront to see for herself the improvements carried out under the Sunrise Scheme which benefited from European funding.

The commissioner also went to the Astral Centre at Lowestoft College where she signed a letter to officially approve the East of England's new £80m European Regional Development Fund.

Richard Howitt, MEP, accompanied the commissioner, and said the money would prove a huge boost to Lowestoft and the whole region.

“The investment is helping our local businesses to meet the challenge of climate change in particular and over the next seven years will not only make us greener but will also create local jobs for local people,” he said.