A firm that is developing an x-ray machine for use in industry has been awarded a Government grant to test its feasibility.

Torr Scientific, of the Knoll Business Park, Hove, is to receive a £45,000 Smart Award, which is aimed at encouraging innovation, from the Department of Trade and Industry's Small Business Service,.

The company is carrying out research into a low-cost digital x-ray imaging system for commercial applications.

The same x-ray system used by doctors and dentists is used even more extensively throughout industry to see, for example, if food or pack-aging is contaminated by a foreign body, if a micro-circuit has a fault or if a bracket in an aircraft wing has a microscopic crack.

But the equipment is costly, and the Smart Award will allow Torr Scientific to establish the feasibility of a new cheaper imaging detector that will make the equipment much more widely available.

Desmond Sheehan, one of the firm's directors, said: "Indirectly this could improve all our lives as much more testing will be carried out if it is both faster and cheaper.

"This prestigious Smart award will enable us to enhance our innovative product portfolio and secure additional employment."

Under the scheme small firms can apply for grants of up to 75 per cent of the costs of a feasibility study, up to a maximum of £45,000.

www.go-se.gov.uk.