A CANTERBURY company has beaten off tough competition to be named Kent's leading innovator and win £25,000.

Ancon technologies, based at the Canterbury Enterprise Hub on the University of Kent campus won the 2006 Kent Innovation Challenge with a new technology for detecting organic compounds in the air.

The competition saw 40 entrants pitch their products to a panel of judges, in the style of television series Dragons' Den. After two rounds of interviews, Ancon emerged as the clear winner.

Dr Robert Muir, commercial director at Ancon Technologies said: "We are absolutely delighted to win the Kent Innovation Challenge.

"We have developed a pre-production demonstration unit with funding from the Department of Trade and Industry and extensive field trials have proven the effectiveness of the technology in simulated field conditions.

"We are in the process of arranging a trial the unit on explosives detection at a major UK port and the £25,000 prize will help enormously."

Ancon was founded in 2003 by Dr Boris Gorbunov, an internationally renowned expert on nuclear and condensation technology.

The instruments it produces are the result of 15 years' research, and are capable of detecting single molecules of organic compounds in the air. Practical applications include detection of explosives, mine detection and forensic analysis.

Chief judge Dr John Dodd said: "Kent boasts a tremendous number of entrepreneurs and this has been reflected by the number of entries into this year's competition.

"Ancon Technologies were able to demonstrate a new technology with a tremendous number of potential uses. The detection units developed are light, robust and flexible and can be used as stationary public screening devices, portable detection units, or remote untended monitors.

"They have been able to demonstrate a market and a global interest in their product. They should be proud of their achievements."

On top of the cash prize, the winners of the Kent Innovation Challenge receive free rent for a year at an Enterprise Hub of their choice, business development and sales advice from EMC management and Business Link Kent and banking support from NatWest.