A SOUTH Lakeland computer business is turning heads with its latest state-of-the-art piece of technology.

Triarom of Windermere has taken delivery of the world's first rear projection screen that works in total daylight, and the firm claims to be the only retailer outside London to have the Reversa screen.

Owner Daniel Shaw met the brains behind the technology, Gareth Evans, at the computer trade show at the NEC last month and was determined to stock it as soon as possible.

The 4mm-thick screen, made from Perspex with a special coating allowing pictures to be projected on to it, can be used as a free-standing promotional feature.

"It was the stand that caused the biggest sensation at the trade show," Mr Shaw told Business Gazette.

" Anybody with a decent sized shop window or showroom window can use it to advertise their products.

It's very clear during the day but at night it's exceptional," he added.

One of the screens is now on show in the window of Triarom's premises at Birch Street.

Mr Shaw said some of his clients had already shown interest in the screen, including a car dealer.

And when a promotional video for the new Range Rover was shown as a demonstration, it attracted "quite a crowd" of onlookers outside the shop, he said.

"You can show anything on the screen using a projector, which can also be linked to a video or DVD player, or television."

Screens of up to 12ft in size are available, costing up to £ 2,840.

Triarom plans to hire out its own screen as well as selling the product.

Meanwhile, the former Westmorland Gazette Business Competition winner is going from strength to strength after a difficult year as a result of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Mr Shaw said after several years of sustained growth, the business stood still for a nine month period last year.

But with many local business looking to spend their rural recovery fund grants on IT equipment, Triarom has seen a big surge in trade.

"We have done a year's work in four months.

We now have two vans and three engineers.

It's been phenomenal," said Mr Shaw.

Demand has been greatest for flat screen computers, digital cameras and laptops, and Triarom is busy running training courses up to September.

"It's brought a lot more people into the computer market.

In a few years time, these people won't be able to do without their computers," said Mr Shaw.

When foot-and-mouth was biting hard last summer, Triarom gained a timely order from one of the country's leading high street retailers to supply specially-made computers to monitor fridge temperatures in its stores.

Mr Shaw said the "fantastic" contract could last for up to three years and he hoped it could lead to similar orders from other big name retailers.

Formed in 1996, Triarom has expanded from a one-man band into a flourishing business employing a total of 15 full and part-time staff.