Having already photographed the EU Commission building in Brussels and Buckingham Palace, Stewart and Alan Little are preparing for their next step, thanks to a £30,000 funding boost.

Supported by Scottish Enterprise Tayside, the Michelin Development Funding will help IRT Surveys to double their workforce to 20 by May.

The tyre and automotive services manufacturer supports recently established or new small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Dundee area by providing funding for staff and expansion.

Working as an architectural technician and a stint selling flat roofs and roof gardens gave Stewart the idea of using infrared cameras to show areas where buildings are losing energy.

Faulty wiring, water leaks, draughts, roofing problems and inefficient insulation are all picked up by the firm’s five £25,000 infrared cameras — all without disturbing the building in any way.

Since launching IRT Surveys in 2002, the brothers have put their combined skills to good use and now have customers across the UK, Ireland and Europe, including Aberdeen City Council, Cala Homes and British Gas.

“Basically what we do is allow people to see heat in a photographic image,” said Stewart.

“By using our infrared cameras, we not only show the energy, but capture it in a full colour photograph.

“We use infrared thermography to survey large areas, buildings, manufacturing equipment, flat roofs and machinery without disturbing the subject. It can also be used for the military, fire-fighting, search and rescue and security applications.”