A GROUND-breaking fraud detection system developed in the region has been recognised as one of the most innovative uses of technology at the Technology Industry Awards 2003.

City of York Council's "disguised business sales" project uses i-document systems that scan and cross-match telephone numbers in newspaper adverts, enabling trading standards officers to spot fraudulent traders.

Elizabeth Levett, trading standards manager for the council, said: "The Image-Gen system has revolutionised the way in which we carry out this type of work. In the past, officers would have had to cross-match the telephone numbers by hand. This was very labour intensive and time consuming."