THERE’S good news, and there’s really good news. And considering it’s only half way through January, we should all be raising a glass to Oxfordshire’s enterprise.

A major new survey indicates that despite the world’s ongoing economic crisis, local firms and businesses are more than pulling their weight.

Nearly three quarters of those questioned said they were enjoying an increase in turnover, with more than half saying they expect it to go up again this year.

And that’s not all – 85 per cent of companies either created jobs or kept their headcount at a steady level in 2011, while astonishingly, 32 per cent are actually planning to take on more staff this year.

It’s like Christmas has come 50 weeks early. The findings are a much-needed boost in an otherwise grim month of economic forecasts.

Martin Dare-Edwards, chairman of the Local Enterprise Partnership, says: “While the UK and European markets seem headed for torrid times, it is by no means a time to imagine all is despair. Prospects for substantial growth remain for export markets, and Oxfordshire’s hi-tech businesses in particular are well placed to achieve it in 2012.”

And we can all raise a cheer to that.