A Norwich company is launching a device designed to protect electrical equipment from lightmng strikes. Grey Electronics, based at Cadge Road, says that its new creation will defend goods such as computers, fax machines, modems and telephones from damage caused by power surges -as well as potentially saving lives.

East Anglia has the highest number of lightning strikes in England and the firm says that many people's insurance policies do not cover this kind of damage. And it points out that at least 100 people are killed by lightning strikes across Europe each year, many of whom are using telecommunications equipment at the time.

Research suggests that power surges cause in excess of £500m damage to telephone lines in the UK every year. Owner Colin Grey, who founded the business in 1999, said: "We have invested years of research and development in producing these Protector units. The problem lies in the fact that the telephone line network acts as a gigantic conductor of electricity." Grey Electronics offers three Protector devices, designed for the home, office and ISDN lines. · For more details call 01603 722544 or visit www.greyelectronics.co. uk.