DEPUTY Prime Minister, Nick Clegg dropped in on a local business in Crickhowell last week and he even made his own block of dark chocolate.

Nick Clegg was joined by both Brecon and Radnorshire, Roger Williams MP and Kirsty Williams AM as he toured the converted farm units in Standard Street as part of his whistle-stop tour of Wales.

Mr Clegg said: "We are fighting these council elections in a completely different set of circumstances to when we were elected in government. We are now in a completely different position financially, but what has remained is that the Liberal Democrats are a force to be reckoned with at grass routes level.

"Coalition in government means compromise, especially in at a time like this, it is a mature thing to do. I have to confront hard decisions every day and being told when you enter office that there is no money left in the kitty, it is a extreme issue to be confronted with.

"Local Councillor John Morris, Kirsty and Roger all represent different layers of the electoral spectrum. We are able to work together in different areas as each authority has its own pressures during these austere times.

"Small businesses play an important part of the local economy and I have a strong respect for independence of businesses like this chocolate production unit, Black Mountain Gold Crickhowell.

"But when it comes to organisations that have evolved over the years, I am pushing for the John Lewis style of company ownership to be developed – a partnership in the hands of its workers which is not being controlled by a big corporate organisation, which has little interest in what goes on a daily basis.

"More people say they are annoyed over expenses and bonuses than ever before and this idea of going back to old fashioned values with workers owning the company they work for has a lot of mileage.

"And to achieve this, we as a government are looking into how we can clarify and simplify some of the regulations and look at way of offering tax incentives to small businesses."

After speaking with the master chocolatier, Jules James agreed to the Liberal Democrat leader taking part in one of his chocolate making courses.

Mr Clegg was shown the basic principle of chocolate making and he donned on an overall to have a go himself. Mr James said he would be sending the chocolate block of four bars to Mr Clegg once the chocolate had set.

During his hour long visit Mr Clegg was able to talk to other businesses and local producers in the courtyard before he headed back to Cwrt-y-Gollen to jump aboard his helicopter heading for Lladudno.

Just before Mr Clegg's entourage departed he admitted that he had given up smoking, but still had a penchant for chocolates. He said that his preferred varieties were those with nuts and raisins in them and added: "I have a new favourite now – The Black Moutain Truffle."