A North Yorkshire company today became a pioneer of Tony Blair's Cool Britannia crusade.

The Kirkbymoorside-based firm, which designs and makes the Europa XS light aircraft, has been held up as a prime example of the forward-looking new Britain.

Europa Aircraft Company, which employs 18 people, and has factories in America and France, is one of 200 businesses throughout the country selected for bringing out a Millennium Product.

Also selected are Thirsk company Genovation, the makers of a unique polymer which is set to revolutionise the electronic engineering industry, and Lancashire Fittings, of Harrogate, who have made the lives of DIY enthusiasts a little easier with tilting radiators to help with decorating.

Europa's chief executive, Adam Kingdon, said today he was delighted their product had been recognised.

He said: "The beauty of this aircraft is that it makes flying affordable. We have a wide range of customers from all over the world who have one thing in common: they love to fly.

"We are expanding every day, but being chosen as one of the Millennium Products is great news and I'm sure it's going to help us in the future."

Costing around £30,000, the Europa XS has detachable wings that allow the plane to be stored in a garage at home and can be fitted on a car trailer.

The two-seater plane, which can be filled with four-star petrol and can take off and land on small unprepared fields, can travel more than 700 miles at 200mph on 20 gallons.

Among the company's customers is the former leader of the Red Arrows, Martin Stoner.

The Millennium Products initiative was launched by the Prime Minister in September to identify and promote 2,00 examples of British business ingenuity: pioneering products and service which show British business at its innovative best.

Around 1,000 companies responded to the ministerial challenge in the first of four selection rounds between now and the Year 2000.They have been chosen by a panel of 50 judges representing design, science technology, business and the media.

Mr Blair said: "They all show the range of creativity and innovation in this country.

"These are world-beating designs that will help improve the quality of our lives and give our economy the edge over our competitors."

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