A revolutionary ventilation system which will provide a breath of fresh air to householders up and down the country has been awarded Millennium Product status by the Design Council.

Frank Farmer, managing director of Farmer Controls, with his firm's Enviro-Vent system, which is among the latest products awarded Millennium Product status

Knaresborough-based Farmer Controls, set up a year ago, employs 14 staff and is now producing the innovative design for private and commercial customers all over Britain, including some local authorities.

The Enviro-Vent system is the only product announced in the latest line of Millennium Products to come from North Yorkshire.

It is designed to combat mould and condensation by pressurising houses and pumping fresh air through vents in the roof space and on to four "pods" inserted in interior walls.

Stale air is forced out through natural wall cavities, providing particular benefits for people who suffer from respiratory problems.

Roger Moore, a spokesman for the company, said: "It is not as if you are walking into the house and there is a gale blowing.

"The system continually sucks in air from outside and gently pressurises the home so that it is continually fresh."

The announcement puts the Enviro-Vent alongside Nestl's tiny Supermint as a product with a chance of being displayed in the Millennium Dome.

Frank Farmer, managing director of Farmer Controls, said: "This is fantastic news.

"We are a small company and this means we have joined the lite.

"There are hundreds of thousands of products in the UK and for us to be selected in this latest 200 is quite spectacular."

The company will receive special plaque and be able to use a Millennium Products logo on the Enviro-Vent.

The initiative was launched by Prime Minister Tony Blair last September with the aim of identifying and promoting up to 2,000 of the UK's most innovative products and services

Love-drug Viagra, the children's TV characters the Teletubbies and the Ford Focus car also received the accolade.

Also included is the London-based Day Chocolate Company, which is recognised for its Divine chocolate.

The chocolate operates under a Fair Trade label which recently prompted the release of statements from York firms Nestl and Terry, expressing anger at implications that other chocolate products were not produced fairly.

Terry's Richard Johnson said at the time: "Our company takes exception to the implication that because Divine is labelled Fair Trade, the rest of the chocolate on sale results from unfair trade."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.