Green energy firms in the Westcountry have won a share of £7 million to develop wave and tidal technologies of the future.

The winners have been announced by the Technology Strategy Board which has been working with the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) to manage the competition because of the agency's ongoing work to develop marine renewables and the strength of the sector in the South West.

Some 35 businesses and universities are involved in the nine research and development projects that have won financial backing from the board.

Claire Gibson, director of sustainable resources at South West RDA, said: "The fact that more than half of these projects have strong links with the South West demonstrates the strength of the marine renewables sector in the region.

"The Technology Strategy Board's investments will be very welcomed by the fledgling wave and tidal energy industry and complement our own investments in marine renewables."

Among those to benefit is Fred Olsen Limited, which is leading a project involving the University of Exeter to develop a wave energy device that can be deployed and tested at Wave Hub.

Bristol-based Marine Current Turbines gained support to develop its Seagen tidal generator – a project which also involves Falmouth-based Mojo Maritime.

Launceston-based Offshore Wave Energy Ltd has been awarded a grant to develop its wave energy device.