A WILLITON-based company is poised to spark a possible revolution in war zones with the development of a blast-proof seat for military vehicles.

Exmoor Trim, which manufactures and supplies a variety of products for the Land Rover range of vehicles from its Roughmoor Estate premises, has been working on the new product - designed to absorb the shockwaves from a blast - for the past year.

But if initial accelerated drop tests due to be carried out this week are successful, the revolutionary device - the most advanced of its kind - could be in production by October.

Managing director Julian Gostling said the company was very confident that, with a few tweaks, the seat could soon be on the market.

Based on a honeycomb layered system and covered with a special patented fabric, the seat is designed to help the spinal column of blast victims withstand the maximum impact.

"There is certainly no guarantee that this seat will stop people getting hurt," said Julian.

"But what it is designed to do is reduce the risk and increase survivability."

Although Exmoor Trim has funded the costly development work so far, the Ministry of Defence has said it would financially support blast testing, with further work then needed to adapt the product for specific vehicles.

But Julian said there was enough sound interest in it to justify production, with potential clients including the British military and several armies across the world.

Alongside the development of new products, Exmoor Trim is celebrating a contract with the MoD which could be worth a six figure sum.

Although it has been supplying Land Rover seating for 3,500 vehicles for the MoD for the past 12 months, the new deal is described as "substantial" and will largely involve the supply of mesh-type seating for use in hot climates.

The hoped-for launch of the innovative blast-proof seat is the latest success for the company set up by Mr Gostling 14 years ago which carried on a 60-year family tradition begun by his grandfather.

Bert Gostling started his working life as part of Land Rover's design team in 1946 and became senior designer before he retired.

Julian's father started his career on trim development and eventually became head of experimental trim.

And Julian has taken the tradition to the next level by introducing new products as well as bringing in large volume production and developing the business on a global basis with worldwide exports.

His father's business employed a handful of people, while Julian has more than 30 staff, with the help of his wife Nicky as company secretary, and plans to take on a further five by February.

The company's business plan is to double the current £3 million turnover within the next two years. leading to more new jobs.

And Julian has been helped in his expansion plans by his local bank, NatWest.

It helped improve the business's cash flow under a scheme which freed up funds for the development of the blast-proof seat and the purchase of parts and components for the new MoD contract.

Julian said he wanted to thank everyone who had helped the company, including his family and friends. staff, loyal customers and NatWest.

He is pictured (right) with his NatWest relationship manager Chris Merrick.