Lagan Technologies, the Belfast software designer, has beaten more than 100 firms to win an "e-government" contract estimated to be worth more than £5 million sterling (€8 million). The Belfast company has won the contract to provide Birmingham City Council with a one-stop-entry point interface between the council and the community. Lagan Technologies is one of Northern Ireland's new breed of ambitious high-tech companies that are looking outside home markets for growth. The company employs 45 people and recently won the Northern Ireland Manufacturing and Tradeable Services Award, organised by the Institute of Research and Technology Unit.

Mr Des Speed, Lagan's managing director, said the contract is the first step towards the UK's compliance with European Union local government policy to provide all services online.