Surrey is defying the downturn with more start-up businesses with big turnovers than anywhere outside of London.

According to research by Barclays, one in seven Surrey companies that started up in the past three years was turning over more than £100,000 annually, compared with the national average of one in 10.

Surrey County Council contributes directly to the local economy with its pledge to commit 60 per cent of its spend on goods and services to local firms.

Councillor Peter Martin, Surrey’s deputy leader, said: “Surrey businesses are leading the UK’s economic recovery by succeeding during tough times.

“We’ve been working with businesses to promote innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship and to ensure people have the skills they need to succeed.”

The council has also made a bid to the Government for £16m to fund transport infrastructure improvements in the county.

Coun Martin said: “Good roads help businesses run more efficiently, leading to growth and more jobs.

“It’s estimated that congestion on Surrey’s roads costs the county’s economy £550m-a-year.

“If we are successful in our funding bid to the Department for Transport, we can ease congestion and help Surrey’s start-ups and other businesses to grow further.

“This will also encourage more entrepreneurs to start their own companies, furthering the UK’s economic recovery.”

Surrey generates £28bn annually for the UK economy and contributes more net taxation to the UK Exchequer than any area outside the City of London.