Saltaire-based Pace Micro Technology has received a major boost after scooping two contracts to supply Germany's biggest digital television operator.

Pace has secured the deals to supply Premiere, which is also Germany's only national pay television broadcaster, with its market leading set-top boxes.

They were announced at the IFA digital television exhibition in Berlin yesterday and have been hailed as a major boost to the Saltaire firm.

The deals cover the supply of set-top boxes direct to Prem-iere and also their sale through retail outlets. Pace will now be helping the broadcaster to increase the roll-out of digital television across Germany where take-up has been relatively slow to date.

Heinrich Haase, Pace's area manager for Central Europe, said: "Premiere's selection of Pace is a testimony to our leadership and innovation in digital television.

"We are delighted that Germany's largest digital television operator has selected Pace to support its prosperous digital television service."