A WORCESTER company is playing a vital role in making sure the nation's politicians stay safe and dry. Caption Data Limited of Gresley Road has won a contract from the House of Commons to fit its sensor monitoring equipment in the roof of Parliament’s historic Westminster Hall. The building, which is the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster, dates back to the time of William II, son of William the Conqueror, and contains roof beams from the time of Richard II. The firm's monitoring systems allow it to measure moisture in timbers without damaging them and are being used as part of the conservation process in the century’s old building.

Worcester's MP Robin Walker toured the building with Caption Data director Paul Sanders, who explained that the equipment to be installed is often used in flood recovery situations and is also being used for structural monitoring of the Thames Barrier, a project commissioned by Robin’s late father, Peter Walker, when he was environment secretary.

Mr Walker said: "I am always delighted to meet and support local entrepreneurs, but it was especially exciting to find a local Worcester based business that is working where I work in Westminster. These buildings are iconic and I am still sometimes taken aback by the weight of history in a place like Westminster Hall. When the Houses of Parliament were bombed during the Battle of Britain, Winston Churchill let the Chamber of the House of Commons burn so that this, much older building could be saved, it is a huge responsibility for a business to be involved in conserving such a unique historic building.

“It’s great to hear that a fast growing business like this has been benefitting from the Government’s expansion of support to UK Trade and Industry and winning business around the world. I hope the iconic buildings that they are involved with in London will help Caption Data to keep on expanding, bringing jobs and opportunities to Worcester.”