A CUTTING-EDGE scientific research company in Swindon which has pioneered a breakthrough in the defence against skin cancer has been rewarded with a £600,000 Government grant.

Marine biologists working for the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), based in Polaris House, North Star Avenue, discovered natural properties in river and sea vegetation that can be used to neutralise the sun's harmful rays.

This breakthrough with algae as common as seaweed has been marketed with Boots and will be manufactured into sunscreen products.

NERC's ground-breaking research has been recognised by the Department of Trade and Industry with the announcement of additional funding.

"This country is always being criticised for not commercially exploiting its inventions, but here in Swindon we are bucking that unfortunate trend," said NERC spokeswoman Marianne O'Sul-livan.

"Here we are all the time looking to see how trading companies can become a spin-off from our discoveries.

"We're proud of making our mark in the commercial world."

In announcing the grant, Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury, said: "Without backing and support in the early stages, commercial opportunities arising from scientific discoveries and new technologies can be lost.

"This funding is intended to capitalise on the cutting-edge research taking place in the public sector.

"It is vital for UK business and our quality of life that innovative ideas make it beyond the drawing-board and become successful products and services."

NERC, founded in Swindon in 1965, some years ago established a team specifically to target the market-place for its scientific coups as it pushed back the frontiers of research.

"Now we have a team of scouts all over the country looking for ways to tap into commercial markets," said Ms O'Sullivan.

The Swindon headquarters of NERC is the company's administrative hub.

NERC already gives grants to a number of Bath University students to help with research projects.

This is something that would almost certainly be extended if Bath University expanded in Swindon with a new 10,000-student campus,

The proposal for the campus has been included on the draft Local Plan for the Coate area.

Another Swindon research organisation to benefit from this latest round of funding, is the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC), which also operates from Polaris House, which will get £175,000.

Lord Sainsbury said that the money to PPARC would help to keep the organisation in "its leading position."

No one was available for comment at PPARC as the Advertiser went to press.