A TEACHER at a Preston school has praised a past pupil's genius for devising a chemical formula which could net a glazing company millions.

But Mike Bradley, sixth form head at Hutton Grammar School, Liverpool Road, says it is no surprise former pupil Kate Brookes, now 21, has revolutionised whole glazing industry in just eight weeks.

"At school Kate always came in the top ten per cent," he said.

Engineering student Kate, of The Avenue, Ingol, was on work experience at a polycarbonate glazing firm in Lytham, near Blackpool, when she stumbled on an idea for a new surface coating for the glass-substitute product developed at the firm.

The Newcastle University high-flyer scoured the Internet and called hundreds of specialist firms world-wide to solve the riddle set for her by bosses at Kleentec International to come up with a 'greener' product.

Polycarbonate glazing -- a common product for shopping centre roofs -- is spoilt by heavy rain and long spells of sun. But clever Kate's ingenious discovery will mean the product will stay protected from the elements.

Kleentec managing director Nigel Whitaker said: "We wanted something to stop this happening so Kate spent three weeks scouring the whole world to find it -- what she has achieved will revolutionise the industry."

In the past 10 years Nigel has invested a quarter-of-a-million pounds trying to achieve what Kate has done in just three weeks. Now he his hoping to reap the benefit and get some of his money back.

"I have a disabled wife, Melanie, who suffers from arthritis and some of the money I will make from this invention will make her life more comfortable," Nigel said.

Although Kate won't get her name on the bottle or scoop any of the millions the product is expect to make she is looking forward to a successful career in the industry.

"I will definitely bring up this achievement at interviews," Kate said.

Mr Bradley added: "I have worked here many years and it gives me great job satisfaction to see out pupils do well but that is what we are here for -- if they go on to be successful then it just means that we have done our job."