A BRIDPORT company has won a £1million contract to help US marines fight terrorists in Iraq and other world troublespots.

The order for a pioneering vehicle arrest system known as XNet has been awarded to Bridport Engineered Textiles, a division of Bridport Aviation.

It is a major boost for the company's 125 workers.

Developed and patented by QinetiQ - Europe's largest science and technology organisation - the XNet is being used by American troops in war zones around the globe to bring suspect vehicles to a speedy halt.

Made from tough netting it employs two rows of barbed spikes which can bring a vehicle travelling at 50mph to a complete standstill in just 75ft.

The US Department of Defence contract follows the successful deployment of QinetiQ's XNet by the US Marines in Haiti in April.

A car that accelerated after being signalled to stop at a checkpoint near PortauPrince was brought to a safe halt within 50ft, without injury to the driver or the marines manning the checkpoint, and without a shot being fired.

Having proved itself in both evaluation trials and in the field XNet is now being purchased by the US in large numbers for use in operations around the world.

Tim Jones, Bridport Engineered Textiles marketing manager, said the order was worth over £1million and was their first major success since the division was set up around a year ago.

"We are very pleased to have been selected by QinetiQ as the manufacturer of XNet as this contract serves to reinforce our position as a global supplier of innovative engineered textile solutions," he said.

"We are particularly proud to win the opportunity to manufacture a product that is essentially a valuable life saving tool as our core strategy is the design and development of engineered textile solutions for markets where strict regulations and/or safety are of prime concern."

QinetiQ business development director Paul Holdstock, said: "We are delighted to have signed this manufacturing agreement with Bridport Engineered Textiles.

"XNet, whether used in a civil or military environment, is a potent tool in the war against terrorism and crime and we therefore need the best manufacturer, one which meets the highest standards in order to ensure the continued success of the product."

* Bridport Engineered Textiles's parent company, Bridport Aviation, is the world leader in the design, manufacture and support of engineered aerospace textiles, producing safety and restraint systems within the aviation and defence industries.

Bridport Engineered Textiles, with a team of seven, was set up to provide global design, manufacture and support for a wide range of engineered textile based products for markets outside of the aviation sector.