Travelling is about to be revolutionised for disabled people by a new kit being developed by a Steeton firm.

Specialist suspension and chassis designer Lateral Design, based at Keighley Road, has won one of the DTI's new Smart Micro Project awards. The funding will help it develop a kit to allow vehicles to accommodate disabled passengers without the need for drastic modifications to the vehicle itself.

At present, to make a car disabled-friendly, roofs often have to be ripped out and heightened, floors cut into and ramps installed. Most of the modifications are unalterable.

But Lateral Design's new kit can be installed in half a day, at minimal cost, and insurance premiums are not affected because the vehicle is not being structurally changed.

Temporarily disabled people, like sportsmen who have suffered serious injury, will particularly benefit as the kit can later be unbolted and removed when it is no longer required.

Lateral Design was advised through all the various stages of its Smart application by Business Link North Yorkshire innovation and technology adviser Roger Benson. He has now helped 45 businesses across York and North Yorkshire to successfully apply for Smart awards totalling £2.4 million in the last 24 months.

Lateral Design, which was founded in 1997, specialises in producing chassis and suspensions for a wide range of vehicles, from rally cars to armoured vehicles.

The company has three staff and recently relocated from Skipton to larger premises in Steeton to help cope with increased demand.

Managing director Steve Greenwood says: "These are very exciting times for the company. If things go to plan, we will be looking to double our staff within a year.

"Without the expertise and guidance of Roger Benson at Business Link I really think we would have struggled to get the Smart award. His previous experience was invaluable."

Roger Benson says: "I am happy to have helped Lateral Design. I am sure the conversion kit is going to be very successful, and will hopefully lead to their rapid growth."

The Smart Micro Project scheme has been devised to help small enterprises develop simple and low-cost prototypes for an innovative product or process. It is an offshoot of the DTI's main Smart awards, which cater for small to medium-sized businesses.