A hi-tech security firm has won a £1m contract for equipment to be used at airports in Iraq.

Westminster Group based in Banbury will supply its ThruPORT scanning system within the next few months.

The system is built within a specialised shipping container meaning and is designed to scan both baggage and people for suspect devices. Should an explosion occur, it is contained within the unit, eliminating or minimising damage to other areas.

The units have been developed in partnership with Milton Park-based imaging specialist ThruVision and is monitored remotely allowing for fast processing of people and packages.

Westminster chief executive Peter Fowler said: It is a valuable contract and, equally importantly, it is a testament to our ability to design and provide solutions to meet our clients’ needs and to be able to deploy those solutions internationally as required.

“This latest award means we are starting 2009 on a very positive note.”

Westminster started 2009 with an order book of some £4.2m compared to £1.4m in the same period last year.

Last month the group bought security management firm Longmoor Services for a sum of up to £2.4m.