A company which tests software for computer games has received funding to help its expansion into world markets.

Hove-based Babel Media, which also translates games into a range of languages, is already Europe's leading localisation and testing specialist for the games and interactive entertainment industries.

The company has received £1million to finance its continued and rapid expansion in Europe and the United States. The investment was made by Classic Fund Management, on behalf of its funds; Downing Classic 3 VCT and i-Net VCT.

Babel Media managing director Algy Williams said: "We provide essential services for the games industry and those running large pan-European youth-orientated web sites.

"At a time when those industries, especially the games publishers, are consolidating their entire operations, Babel Media can offer them a focused and tightly-integrated solution that encompasses design, localisation, testing and viral marketing."

The company employs 30 full-time linguistic, consultancy, quality assurance, project management, creative and engineering staff with a roster of 50 freelance linguists.

It also maintains a wide network of consultants, including art directors, animators, technical consultants and programmers.

Clients include Microsoft, Eidos, Lego, Infogrames, Vizzavi, Hasbro, Havas, Konami and SCi.

The funds will be used to invest in staff, marketing, infrastructure and the establishment of a presence in the United States.

Tony Stacey of Classic Fund Management said: "There is no doubt that this funding will raise some eyebrows at a time when the so-called new economy is perceived to be languishing.

"Babel Media has carved out a superb niche and its intelligent and sophisticated expansion plans meant we had absolutely no hesitations when deciding to invest in this outstanding company."

With £1.2million turnover for last year expected to rise to £2.8million this year, Babel Media is bucking the trend within the games industry as other companies fall by the wayside or cutback on spending.

Mr Williams said: "The current state of affairs in the interactive games industry has actually been partly responsible for Babel's phenomenal growth over the past 12 months.

"Companies are increasingly outsourcing aspects of the game development process to organisations such as ours, which has seen its business increase by 60 per cent since last summer alone."