BLACKBURN-based Promethean Limited is one of the North West's fastest-growing technology businesses.

The award-winning company, which has pioneered an electronic version of the old school blackboard, is in the top ten of the Deloitte & Touche Fast 50, the 'Oscars' of the technology world.

Managing director Stephen Jury said Promethean, part of the TDS group, had achieved its ranking after boosting turnover by more than 600 per cent.

"Our Fast 50 ranking confirms my view that Promethean is a very special business," he said. "We sell our own UK-designed and manufactured product.

"For our type of business to record such outstanding growth is really exceptional. Our systems really do make a difference to teaching and learning."

The ACTIVboard technology developed by Promethean effectively turns the blackboard into a large computer monitor with the chalk replaced by a mouse. Special software enables the system to interact with other programmes, enabling video clips and animation to be shown. Video conferencing sessions can also be held with other schools and colleges anywhere in the world.

The ACTIVboard was listed as a Millennium Product in the Government initiative to identify the best examples of innovation and technology in the UK.

Promethean product manager Peter Lambert said the technology market continued to show tremendous growth potential.

"The sector has seen continued growth and, as one of the top ten Deloitte and Touche Fast 50 companies, we are clearly adapting, harnessing and benefiting from the growth opportunities available."