A HI-TECH company may be forced to relocate outside the county because of a lack of facilities.

County MP George Kerevan said heat storage developer Sunamp, which he visited last week at its Macmerry premises with Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, is at risk of having to move away.

Mr Kerevan described the situation as a “tragedy” as he called on East Lothian Council to invest in more business premises for its companies.

Sunamp designs, produces and sells non-toxic, compact, highly efficient heat batteries that can be used to store heat for a number of applications, including many renewable and low carbon technologies.

It praised the council for its help in its premises search but confirmed that it might have to move elsewhere.

Mr Kerevan said: “Sunamp needs to expand and East Lothian Council appears to have no premises for rent of the size it needs. It would be a tragedy if Sunamp were forced to move out of the county, but that is looking very likely at the moment.”

The firm, which was nominated for an award at the Innovate UK Small Business awards last year, employs 25 people at its Macmerry base.

Andrew Bissell, Sunamp chief executive, said: “East Lothian Council has been very supportive in helping us search for new premises and we are hopeful that a solution might yet still be found.

“However, there does appear to be a current shortage of suitable accommodation in the county and we may have to look further afield.”

Douglas Proudfoot, the head of service (development) at the council said: “East Lothian Council has worked closely with Sunamp for a number of years, helping directly in the provision of their current business premises and now in assisting them to secure expanded premises within East Lothian and are close to agreeing a proposal.

“The council recognises Sunamp as a very important local business with a potential international reach and we will continue to provide all the support that we can.”