THE Ewbank - the East Lancashire invention that literally swept the nation - is poised to make the biggest technological breakthrough in more than a century.

A prototype new carpet sweeper, appropriately called the Ewbank Revolution, is being developed at the firm's Burnley factory, which bosses believe will restore the company's fortunes.

Blackburn-born designer Wayne Hemingway has been brought into the project to make sure the sweeper has the modern look to appeal to a new generation home-owners.

Ewbank was on the brink of closure last year when it was acquired by the Midlands-based Earlex group - best-known for its invention of the domestic steam wallpaper stripper. General manager Bob Wainwright said the investment being made by Earlex had not only saved the company, but had given it a bright future.

"Ewbank is a fantastic household name," said Bob. "There is huge brand awareness, particularly among the over-40s. Everybody's mother, aunt and grandmother would have had one. We believe the Ewbank carpet cleaner can make a comeback.

"We are not competing with Dyson and other vacuum cleaners - we are a complementary product. I want to make the Ewbank a 'must-have' product for every home, restaurant, office and workplace." Development of the new Ewbank Revolution is scheduled to be completed by the summer with the new sweeper on sale by the autumn.

"It is a breakthrough in sweeper technology," said Bob. "Because of the gearing mechanism we have developed, the brushes turn at 2,000 revs a minute."

In the nine months since Earlex took over, the Ewbank logo has been given a new look and new products are being designed across the company's range that includes cordless vacuum cleaners and other household cleaning equipment. Sales have risen by 18 per cent and the company is looking to double the amount of space it occupies at the Billington Road Industrial Estate.