AN OXFORDSHIRE company has secured a £1m investment to help the global battle against illegal logging.

Helveta, at Milton Park, near Didcot, obtained the money through a funding arrangement involving Carbon Trust Investments, Oxford Capital Partners, Albion Venture and Success Europe.

The firm uses software and satellite technology to track timber from its source and ensure it has not come from illegal sources.

Chief executive Patrick Newton said: “Helveta’s technology is proven in a number of countries and we understand the complexity of the timber supply chain in challenging environments.

“We’re now in a position to dramatically increase our presence in the world’s major tropical timber supply chains.”

Peter Linthwaite, managing partner for Carbon Trust Investment Partners, said: “Helveta provides a robust means of delivering the necessary information to implement increasingly demanding regulations. We’re very excited about the opportunity this presents.”

The investment will help fund Helveta’s continued expansion.

It recently moved from its original home in Harwell to larger premises at Milton Park, after seeing its workforce grow from 12 people in 2007 to 40 now.

There are plans to take on a further 20 staff by the end of the year.

Turnover has grown from £200,000 in 2007 to almost £3m last year.