A technology company is predicting a turnover of £1m this year for its unique range of remote headphones for children.

County Durham-based Ameeca has developed StoryPhones, a wireless MP3 audio system for use in schools, to help young children develop speaking and listening skills

In order to develop the product effectively, the company, run by husband and wife team Dr Simon and Eleanor Johnson, turned to Newcastle-based research experts Marketwise Strategies for help.

Marketwise interviewed more than 150 teachers of literacy at nursery, reception and primary school across England and Scotland as well as speaking to specialist literacy advisors and consultants.

Marketwise Strategies managing director Jacquie Potts said: “The response was excellent and almost three quarters of the teachers were interested in using StoryPhones while the advisors and consultants were keen to see it succeed.”

StoryPhones will be launched nationwide in January 2009, and will be available as an innovative education tool for schools and learning centres. The audio system allows children, aged three to seven, to listen to stories, music, songs and games, whilst also being able to record themselves to develop language skills. Advance orders already total more than 300 sets.