Sedgemoor has a population of around 105,000 with Bridgwater being by far the biggest town. Other towns include Burnham-on-Sea, Cheddar and Highbridge.

Somerset LSC figures show 37,000 people working in 3,500 Sedgemoor businesses.

The M5 runs through Sedgemoor. This had led to the growth of new businesses close to the motorway junctions at Highbridge and either side of Bridgwater. The Express Business Park is the latest big development.

Road haulage and distribution businesses make particular use of Sedgemoor’s good transport links. These include Langdon Industries, Argos and Excel.

Sedgemoor is one of Somerset’s most important manufacturing areas. Factories and engineering businesses employ larger number of people in Bridgwater and, to a lesser extent, in Highbridge.

Large employers include the nuclear power stations at Hinkley Point and Gerber Foods in Bridgwater.

Tourism is a big industry along the coastal strip from Burnham-on-Sea through Berrow as far as Brean. This area includes hotels, holiday camps, caravan parks and tourist attractions.

Agriculture and horticulture are important on the Somerset levels and the areas stretching to the Mendip and Quantock Hills with successful dairy food companies like Yeo Valley.