A PARTNERSHIP between the University of York's Department of Chemistry and science firm Authentix has won a Government award.

It was one of nine schemes out of 320 across the country to receive the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Programme Award, sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry.

The award was presented at a ceremony at the Savoy Hotel in London by Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson.

KTP programmes help businesses and universities to benefit from each other's strengths.

Businesses are able to access academic insight and universities gain experience of the operational and research challenges companies face.

The York scheme focused on technology to help to prevent the smuggling and adulteration of fuel.

Ian Eastwood, of Authentix, said: "Fuel smuggling and adulteration can reduce a country's tax revenues, meaning there's less money to pay for projects like roads or schools."

Updated: 10:08 Monday, April 03, 2006