A HI-TECH Dorset company is using its pioneering lighting technology to help produce new dashboards for Ford and Lotus.

Elumin8's thin, flexible lighting can be wrapped around surfaces in a way that bulbs or fluorescent tubes cannot.

The Ferndown firm - a world leader in the field of electroluminescent printable lighting - has just created illuminated posters for the new Zorro movie.

Its electroluminescent lighting can be adapted to a multitude of applications - including animated advertising displays and architectural schemes.

Prestigious projects include the design of Christmas window displays for the London, New York and Milan stores of fashion house Alexander McQueen and the main signage on the front of Abbey's London HQ.

Elumin8 managing director Richard Kirk said: "EL is flat, remains cold and is highly energy efficient as well as having an interactive dimension so that it can be programmed and animated.

"These are the qualities that give it such enormous creative potential as well as unrivalled visual impact.

"This potential is being acknowledged by companies around the world and we are expanding fast within Europe as well as making inroads elsewhere."

Elumin8 is also reversing current UK economic trends by selling its innovative lighting products to China - to the joy of its bank manager.

Mike Bilson, senior relationship manager at Lloyds TSB Corporate in Poole, took on the account when Elumin8 split from its parent company this year.

"Selling hi-tech equipment to China is up there with selling snow to Eskimos," said Mr Bilson.

"This amazing product has seemingly unlimited applications and Elumin8 has no serious competitors.

"The company manufactures everything from the electronics to the ink and is set to conquer the world with this remarkable technology. We're very excited about the potential and delighted to be on board."

First published: November 8