SOUTHAMPTON'S business community joined representatives from Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's office to celebrate the achievements of the city's award- winning SmartCities project.

This ground-breaking scheme beat off stiff competition to scoop the Best Public Sector IT Project in Computing Magazine's industry awards 2002.

The project, which uses so-called smart cards on public transport and other services in the city, began three years ago with a £134,000 cash boost from the EU.

SmartCities has seen Southampton become a model for member cities from Europe to help develop open technical and best practice standards for multi-application cards.

Local SmartCities programme manager Rob Gair said: "We are delighted with the work we have achieved so far."