Three Sussex companies have recieved Government awards to help them develop new products.

No 7 Contact Lens Laboratory, based in Hastings, has been given a Smart Award worth £75,500 by the Department of Trade and Industry for its development of a contact lens for people with the common eye condition, astigmatism.

The firm has introduced lathing technology that enables staff to cut any shape on to a lens surface.

Managing director Ashley Pepper said: "During the clinical studies patients found the new design increased visual contrast and acuity and was more comfortable to wear than the type of lenses previously used to correct this condition.

"For a small company such as ourselves this sort of development work would otherwise be beyond our reach.

"I have no doubt this type of award has a tremendous impact on the future employment pros-pects for many people in the region."

An award of £81,000 has been made to Oceanair Marine, a Chichester-based firm which makes marine accessories, for developing an electrically-operated hood for boats.

Designed as an alternative to the manual, hooped hood, the Powerhood is similar to those used in the car industry and provides an easy-to-use touch of luxury. Oceanair managing director Chris Blevins said: "The Powerhood is an innovative product customers have been clamouring for which will add significant value in the lucrative 35ft plus powerboat market.

"Not only will it allow us to become established in the luxury powerboat market, I hope the Powerhood will come to be seen as a market leader."

SS Scientific, based in Hellingly, has been awarded £42,805 to develop an "intelligent" vacuum gauge that will be able to tell if pressure deviates from the standard and immediately identify the cause so it can be corrected. Previously, one gauge was needed for monitoring and another was needed for diagnosis.

SS Scientific's managing director Dr Steve Shannon said: "The gauge could be useful throughout the vacuum industry.

"Vacuum has always been important for a variety of scientific research activities, providing a clean environment only paralleled by space.

"The last 30 years has seen a dramatic increase in industrial applications requiring a vacuum environment as part of the process.

"The market for this type of smart gauge is potentially huge. Every vacuum system in the world should have one."

The Smart Awards aim to help businesses to make the best use of technology and assist with research and development of innovative products.