Green consultancy AEA Technology has made a positive start to the year, cutting debt and boosting turnover.

In an interim management statement, bosses at the Harwell-based firm said its net debt now stood at £20.8m, compared to £29.4m last year.

A company statement said: "AEA Technology continues to make good progress, the business remains on course to meet management expectations for this financial year and revenue growth was nine per cent."

The group is continuing with its strategy to actively drive into the private sector and international markets, in addition to its work with the UK Government.

It said opportunities were opening up throughout Europe, the United States and China, driven by growing environmental regulation.

In December, the company unveiled a dip in its pre-tax profits to £2.8m for the six months to September 30, down from £5.9m for the same period in 2006.