Billy Beggs, concept demonstration manager at BAE Systems, Warton, designed a new bracket which has already helped speed skaters achieve their biggest-ever medal haul.

The short-track squad has just returned from the European Championships with two silvers and a bronze and experts hope it will boost Team GB's success at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, next month.

The project is part of a five-year technology partnership between UK Sport and BAE Systems to help British athletes in their quest for medals, also at World Championships, future Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Following a meeting with UK Sports and the British cycling team, including Chris Boardman, for another project Mr Beggs' expertise was sought for help with ice skates.

In December he was given just one month to come up with a lighter and stronger design that would give the skaters more manoeuvrability.

Also, the old brackets would change shape slightly meaning they did not make complete contact with the ice.

Mr Beggs said: "The speed skating team were having problems with the skates.

"There was a new system that did not meet the requirements. They said, 'We need something fast because they are going out to Vancouver on January 15'.

"We changed them from aluminium to titanium to give them three times the strength.

"And we based it on a bone in the body to make them stronger and more rigid."

Mr Beggs, who has worked with the McLaren Formula 1 team and Cosworth, credits young manufacturing engineer Simon Flinn, who also worked on the project.

The skaters tested out the new brackets and were delighted with the results as saving a fraction of a second can be the difference between winning a medal and not.

Stuart Horsepool, performance director of the National Ice Skating Association who skated in two Winter Olympics, said: "When we travelled and went in an aeroplane, they would change slightly. They only have to change a small amount. That one per cent difference is huge.

"We have experts in their fields coming in and bringing a very technical piece of equipment so we can use it to improve our athletes.

"It gives a lot more stability on the corners. And it gives the skaters more confidence. The feel good factor is very important."

Other aspects of the project, worth £1.5m in engineering time, focus on cycling, sailing, canoeing, rowing, bob skeleton, wheelchair basketball and disability swimming.

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