Space-age technology is being employed to blast the traditional flat cap into the 21st century.

The humble cloth cap, sported by Yorkshiremen for decades, has been subtly updated by manufacturers who are coating them with non-stick water-repellent Teflon.

And according to Guiseley-based outfitters Greenwoods - which has coated its entire range - the weather-proofing development is going down a storm.

Chief buyer Joe Greville said: "Our flat cap is a classic but we are always looking to update it.

"Teflon has been used in fabrics for some time but it's only recently been used on caps.

"The Teflon makes it water-resistant and it also means stains can be wiped off."

According to Greenwoods, its Scottish-made County Cap was tested on Yorkshire moors to ensure it is "as tough as Yorkshire miners and steel workers" who have donned flat caps for years.

Teflon, first developed to protect spacecraft, is also commonly used to stop food sticking to pans.

Greenwoods say: "Our cap was conceived for the needs of the Yorkshire working man who expects his cap to stand up to all adverse conditions, therefore, to protect you from the elements your cap has been Teflon coated."

And sales assistant Chantelle Greenwood, at the company's Bradford store in Westgate, said they cannot make caps quick enough.

She said: "We run out of them every week.

"Most of the people who buy them have worn caps for years but you get the odd one asking specifically for a Teflon cap."

Greenwoods opened its first shop in 1860 in Westgate, Bradford.

Founder James Greenwood started trading as a renovator of silk hats but quickly moved on to selling caps, ties and braces.

Meanwhile, County Cap wearers are being invited this year to write to the firm with stories about their headgear - with prizes on offer for the best tales.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.