PLASTICS company Peratech has won a top prize in this year's Spirit of Innovation Awards.

At a ceremony at Brandling House, Newcastle Racecourse, last night, the Darlington business was presented with the best small company award by Malcolm Craig, managing director of Tenon Jennings Johnson.

Peratech won the award for its development of a new type of plastic which has opened up a host of new uses for electrical controls, switches, keyboards and pressure sensors.

The company was established by inventor David Lussey in 1999. He received a cheque for £1,000 and help to develop his innovation further.

Peratech was just one of the region's companies to come under the spotlight at the event.

In recent weeks, scores of entries have been examined to find the most innovative ideas and products.

These were whittled down to 14 finalists in five categories - students, individuals over 18, small companies, large companies and an overall winner.

All the winners received a cheque for £1,000, with the overall winner receiving £5,000.

That honour was reserved for Newcastle's Innoverce Products Ltd, for its easy-to-use pull cord-action bicycle pump, similar to the action used to start a lawnmower.

The company is hoping to develop the technology for the commuter and recreational cyclist, with the finished product retailing for about £20.

The winner in the student category was former intensive care nurse Hilary Turnock, from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, a fashion design student at Northumbria University.

She has created a range of garments which alleviate problems such as deep vein thrombosis, experienced by passengers on long-haul flights.

Her design incorporates a moving balloon which roams under a body suit to massage tired legs to stop blood clots forming.

In addition, the suit includes a cape fitted with an aromatherapy capsule to release soothing vapours.

She said: "I worked as a nurse for 25 years in Newcastle General Hospital, so I know about the danger of deep vein thrombosis. My design is a really simple idea, but it is one that could save lives."

David Dunn, from Stockton, Teesside, was the night's only winner for the second year in succession. He won the individual category for his design of furniture that is built for and can be assembled by children.

He was presented with his award by Paul McEldon, chief executive of the North-East of England Business and Innovation Centre, in Sunderland.

The winner of the large company category was Printable Field Emitters, of Hartlepool. The company has developed a "hang on the wall" flat panel TV screen for consumer use.

The awards ceremony was sponsored by the North-East of England Business and Innovation Centre, the University of Sunderland, law firm Ward Hadaway and chartered accountants Tenon Jennings Jonhson.

Frank Nicholson, business consultant with Tenon Jennings Johnson, and chairman of the judging panel, said: "The strength of these awards is that they cater for everyone, not just large multi-national companies, and are a terrific approach to creating an enterprising culture in the region.

"Hopefully everyone who entered the competition will go on to further develop their products and ideas and maintain the region's strong tradition for innovation."

David Howell, director of operations at the North-East of England Business and Innovation Centre, said: "Once again the people and companies of the region have shown they are at the forefront of forward thinking and new ideas."