A WORLD-leading electronics company which developed a life-saving machine to diagnose meningitis has been given the stamp of approval by Wantage MP Robert Jackson.

Mr Jackson praised Wantage-based Electro Medical Supplies, describing the company as a source of local pride.

The Limborough Road company makes the Immunosonic a pioneering instrument which means medical staff can diagnose meningitis in record time. The 2,000 machine can identify the disease within 30 minutes, where it used to take 48 hours.

Mr Jackson, who is a member of the parliamentary science and technology select committee, toured the company and met staff. He said: "Wantage can take pride in this. We have a lot of scientists in this area which is why I have always taken an interest in new developments. Wantage is one of the most scientific constituencies in the country, with one of the highest concentrations of PhDs."

Marketing and export manager James Greenham said: "We are pleased Mr Jackson is taking an interest. It is a life-saving machine and is the only one of its type in the world.

"It is great that we have had such a world breakthrough in Wantage."

The company has sold 15 of the devices to laboratories worldwide.