A Bradford precision engineering firm has won Government backing for developing a trend-setting machine for recycling sodium lamps safely in an environmentally-friendly way.

More than 15 million of these lamps - illuminating streets, motorways and locations everywhere- are made each year in the UK.

But they contain pure sodium which means disposal by traditional methods -- usually involving landfill sites - is becoming more of a problem against a backdrop of tougher environmental controls.

Now Bentham & Holroyd, headed up by joint managing directors, brothers Ian and Andrew Christie, have drawn up plans for a low-cost disposal system which will enable the lamps' different parts to be saved separately which makes them suitable for recycling.

Government endorsement of the pioneering scheme has been given with a Smart Award which is sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry.

A DTI spokesman said today: "The awards provide cash to put the best innovative ideas into action - ideas which are the key to success in Britain's knowledge-driven economy. They acknowledge inventiveness and commercial acumen needed to help build tomorrow's world."

Bentham & Holroyd have completed preliminary design work on the new machine. The award will help progress production of a prototype. Once this has been proved, the company plans to manufacture machines for lease or sale.

This is the third successive design-and-build project for a new type of machine from the innovative company this year. Trials are now taking place on a machine for the safe disposal of fluorescent strip lights. And a prototype reactor for treating contaminated water using a low energy process is undergoing industrial trials.

Bentham & Holroyd was established in 1830. Today the company's design engineering department specialises in high-quality, low-quantity components for gearboxes, mould tools, valves and grinding machines.

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