A TINY microchip the size of a grain of rice is set to stop criminals in their tracks.

Designed and manufactured in Darlington by Cleveland Studios, the Chiptrac radio frequency chip can be concealed in everything from antique furniture, to horse saddles and stereos.

It has a secure comprehensive registration, a property recovery data base, and has backing from police and insurance companies all over the country.

Every police force in the country has scanners to read the chips and access to the secure information. Detectives are confident it will help them secure convictions and recover stolen property.

HM Customs officers also have the scanners, while insurance companies are offering discounted rates to customers with chipped items.

The firm specialises in visible identification tagging systems including pet tags, and supplies products to the armed forces and industry.

Richard Newhouse, Chiptrac designer and owner of Cleveland Studios, modified the firm's identification tags for industrial items to create the Chiptrac, after being the victim of theft himself.

At the moment the chips are available from local small retailers and direct from the company.

Mr Newhouse said that he was confident the Chiptrac would be picked up by major retailers and manufacturers, so customers can buy goods with the chips already installed, then all they have to do is register them.

"We haven't had any of the big high street names come on board yet; we are still talking to them and are confident it will happen soon.

"We have a lot of smaller companies who have already taken it on, like a chain of tool hire companies and we are agreeing terms at the moment with a big name."

The chips are available in a single pack priced £12.95, a twin pack, or a pack of five priced £47.25.

For more information visit www.chiptrac.com or contact the firm on (01325) 282188.