A RANGE of young companies from North Yorkshire with the brightest ideas impressed Small Business Minister Nigel Griffiths when he met them at the Parsonage Country House Hotel, Escrick.

All the firms have received Department of Trade and Industry Smart awards to develop and market their products.

The Minister particularly praised Vale Engineering (York) Ltd of Moor Farm, Moor Monkton, which has found a niche making pesticide application equipment, particularly for local authorities' weeds control contracts and farmers.

Mr Griffiths hailed the support that farmer Geoff Wilson had given to his son, James, an agricultural engineer, who is managing director of the venture.

He said: "It is this kind of young innovator who ensures that farming in Britain still has a great future."

Other brainwave companies, which earned nods of approval from Mr Griffiths included:

Skylinc, the York-based broadband solution provider

Immersive Media Spaces Ltd (IMS), of York Science Park

YorkTest Laboratories Ltd, the Osbaldwick biotech/medical products company

Atlantech, the Harrogate company devoted to designing aids for keyhole surgery in sports medicine, from basic camera instruments to ligament implants.

Updated: 09:43 Thursday, March 06, 2003