An offshore renewable energy grant programme has awarded more than £800,000 to projects in the east in just a year.

Score has awarded 20 grants to schemes worth more than £2m as it aims to support firms developing new ideas, technologies and efficiencies in the industry.

The £6m fund has handed out pots of £2,700 to £50,000 for work from recruitment consultants to oil and gas companies diversifying in to renewables.

Score project manager Rob Bush said: 'It has been a great year that has showcased the highly innovative and skilled companies that are working in this exciting sector across the region where it will have a major impact for at least the next two decades.

'We are thrilled with the wide variety of companies involved from literally a couple of people in a shed to high-end tech companies developing cutting edge robotic vehicles.'

The programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is open to companies with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than 50m euros.

Grants have helped companies progress projects including a new turbine blade repair system, pioneering turbine technology , improved ship fenders, and paramedics who double as technicians.

Grants are available to start-up and established companies for up to 40% of eligible costs or £50,000, whichever is the lower, with a minimum grant of £2,500.

The programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is open to companies with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than 50 million euros.

The funding is designed to help companies in a wide range of areas, including research and development, collaboration with universities and research bodies, securing patents, acquiring specialist equipment or services and investigating the commercial viability of processes and technologies.

Companies can also access up to 12hrs of subsidised business support from regional enterprise agency Nwes to help grow and develop their business.

The current programme is delivered by Nwes, the largest enterprise agency in the UK and in partnership with, energy industry experts Nautilus Associates and the national Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult centre