CONSORTIUMS of companies are sharing £30,000 of funding as part of the collaboration prize from Co-operative Development Scotland.

The Scottish Honey and Beeswax Consortium, which has its headquarters in Kilsyth and has already helped hundreds of people experience beekeeping, said its members will now pool resources to improve production and sell through one brand. It also hopes to continue efforts to preserve Scotland's honeybee population.

On winning the £10,000 innovation category Paul Holmes, chairman of SHBC, said: "Being part of the consortium will unlock the potential for members across the country to turn what has been a hobby into a viable career option."

Scottish Craft Distillers, which has seen 12 small volume drinks producers joining forces, won the marketing category. It intends to use the money increase its export activity and target a number of new geographies.

Tony Reeman-Clark, chairman, said: "We are a group of craft distillers with ambitious plans but we lacked the time, funds and specific expert knowledge to put them into action. Thanks to the prize, we will be able to accelerate our efforts and make those plans a reality."Creative design consortium Adventures in Light, based in Edinburgh, is targeting working with more musical and cultural clients on its visual projection installations after winning the tendering category. It has already provided services to the Edinburgh Science Festival, T in the Park and the Scottish Dance Theatre.

Judges also commended the Borders based Ale Water Valley consortium which involves 10 companies developing new products for tourism operators.