A James Bond-style super camera that can 'see' explosives, drugs or weapons hidden in clothing or rucksacks has been developed in Oxfordshire.

Unlike current airport X-ray machines, which only detect metal, the T-ray camera can pick up explosives, ceramics, plastics and liquids.

It uses naturally occurring 'terahertz' waves, the spectrum between infra-red and microwaves, emitted by all people and objects.

ThruVision - the first spin-out company from the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory at Chilton, near Didcot - was set up by former lab scientist Dr Jonathan James to market a space science camera.

But, in the course of developing that, scientists discovered terahertz waves could see through clothing.

Its latest camera could be used at airports, rail and underground systems, sporting events and military check-points. It can 'see' from 25m into bags, clothing, or through walls.

Dr James said: "The benefit of Thruvision's technology is that it's compact and safe - two factors that are very important for airport and entrance security operators.

"We're simply capturing an image - we're not zapping people with anything.

"It simply 'looks' at people without illuminating them with any form of radiation, or revealing any anatomical detail, and without asking them to stand still."

The company, of Milton Park, near Abingdon, raised £3.5m from venture capitalists to commercialise and market the system.

An earlier version of the camera is already used at Canary Wharf, in London, Britain's tallest skyscraper, and the Dubai stock exchange, as well as undisclosed US military sites.

Like radio waves, T-rays pass through opaque material. The images do not contain "physical detail", the company said, but can distinguish Semtex from modelling clay and cocaine from sugar.

Dr Liz Towns-Andrews, of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, which runs RAL, said it was an important scientific spin-off.

"Astronomers use T-ray cameras that can see through dust and clouds in space, revealing what lies beyond," she said. "Who would have imagined that research carried out by space scientists to study the stars could result in it being used to protect the public from terrorists and therefore save lives?

"The impact of this will be remarkable."

The newest camera will be on show on Wednesday and Thursday at the Home Office scientific development branch's annual exhibition at RAF Halton, near Aylesbury.

Pc Bob Burrowes, of British Transport Police, whose area includes Oxfordshire, said: "It sounds like something out of a James Bond movie, but anything which would detect offensive weapons or anything sinister would be a benefit."