Inflatable body armour wins award

The jacket is now in military use around the world

The world's first inflatable body armour jacket has won a Midlands company a Queen's Award for Enterprise.

England Safety Equipment first developed the system two years ago and it is now used by special forces and police teams around the world.

The Birmingham-based company produces a number of versions, including one that will deflect explosive bullet tips.

A total of 145 Queen's Award winners have been announced to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday.

Andrew Kerr, managing director of England Safety Equipment, explained that the armoured inflatable jacket developed from an earlier inflatable top it had developed specifically for fishermen.

"Conventional life jackets obviously have no protection against bullets and you can't put a life jacket under armour as it would crush your ribs," he said.

"We go around the world now meeting foreign special forces teams, so we get to meet some interesting people."