A Hove company is going up in the world thanks to a litre-and-a-half of water.

Britton Price's latest product is a small lift running off a domestic power supply which needs just a jug of water to operate its hydraulics.

Managing director Paul Britton said: "The hydraulics are not the only part of our lift making it unique.

"The attraction to many businesses based in older buildings is it doesn't need a separate machine room. All the mechanisms and mach-inery fit into the lift shaft itself.

"I designed the lift in the mid-Eighties. It was a completely new concept using a hydraulic cylinder to push the lift up.

"I could see the idea had potential and I secured the patent on the design. Then customers got the hear of it and wanted to see the design in operation.

"The prototype work-ed well and I knew I was on to something."

The tricky part was getting the financial backing to start production. Mr Britton's bank thought the project was far too risky but he was put in touch with investment group 3i, which provided the funding.

Martin Pollins, a Haywards Heath-based business advisor and accountant, who put together the proposal for 3i, became Britton Price chairman.

The company installs the lifts throughout the country and designs and makes the panoramic lifts seen in most shopping centres and public buildings for the Otis company, the firm which made the first lift more than 100 years ago.

Mr Britton said: "Many experts thought the concept would never work. They said it was impossible.

"We worked hard against all the odds to make it a success. My only regret is I didn't do it 20 years earlier when I first had the idea."

Britton Price's latest model, the X-H20, won an award for the best innovation in the lift industry.

Mr Pollins said: "This is an accolade for us. Paul Britton is a brilliant innovator and innovation is our brand culture."

The company, based at Hove Business Centre, was formed from a supplier of rented radios to hotels and nursing homes.

Sound Diffusion, a major employer in Hove, also hired out passenger lifts. This division became Britton Price after having various owners through sell-offs and acquisitions.

Mr Britton said: "Sound Diffusion rented out everything, from knives and forks to beds and fire alarms.

"As homes opened, it set them up with all they needed.

"The company was doing well until legislation and accounting practices changed."

Sound Diffusion no longer exists, while Britton Price is a leader in its field.