AN ORGANISATION set up to boost the South's low carbon and environmental technology firms has been handed a top award.

Greentech South has become the first organisation of its kind in the country to be given a bronze label award for management by the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis.

As previously reported, Greentech South was set up by Future Solent to help firms in the green energy and technology sectors grow across the South.

It is part of a partnership approach between different organisations to coordinate grant funding and has so far led to 14 firms receiving more than £1.1m to develop low carbon innovations and efficiencies.

And that in turn has led to 130 jobs being created and £5.3m being attracted in private investment.

One of the examples of how the approach has boosted firms is Tapflo UK Ltd in Chandler's Ford, which was given a green growth grant.

This then allowed them to test a patented prototype of a new air pump design to make sure it was fit for wider use, and it is now manufactured in Hampshire and sold across the planet.

The firm's technical director, Colin Wreyford, said: “For us, the grant brought the benefit of being able to bring a product to market in a much shorter time frame than we as a small company could have achieved without it. I would urge other companies to get involved with Greentech South and see what they too can achieve.”

It is hoped the bronze status now given to the organisation will help to attract even more funding to the organisation as it will allow raise the South's profile for developing low carbon innovations.

It will also bring in new potential funding streams from Europe and allow it to work with other ESCA approved "clusters" across the continent.

Stewart Dunn, the chairman of Future Solent, said: “Well done to Greentech South.

"This achievement is a credit to the whole team who worked towards it. Furthermore, it allows us to qualify for more funding initiatives and pursue new growth opportunities for local businesses to benefit from.”

Dr David Hutchinson, a Future Solent board member and environment facilitator for the University of Portsmouth Environment Network, said: “The cluster approach is a great way to help like-minded organisations work together to strengthen their bottom line while reducing carbon footprints through energy efficiency and innovation.

"Getting this award will boost economic activity within the region.”