FORMER bus driver Brian Foote has been presented with an award to help him turn his bright idea into a business success.

Brian has won a £45,000 Government grant to develop his invention to help people suffering from hand problems.

He received the DTI Smart award from the government's top woman in the North West, Marianne Neville-Rolfe.

Blackburn-based Brian, 56, was off work with a hand problem two years ago when he decided to try and improve the splints given him by doctors. Now his invention is undergoing trials by Blackburn Royal Infirmary on other patients.

He suffered an injury while working on an angle grinder almost 30 years ago.

It had caused him discomfort over the years but an unconnected condition then affected his other hand in a similar way and meant he had to take time off work as a bus driver for Stagecoach.

A confirmed 'tinkerer' in his shed, Brian went away to try and design a device which would enable fingers to be stretched and clenched easily. The result is a plastic glove with spring mechanisms.

He and former Stagecoach colleague John Hornsby have formed Dynamic Healthcare, based at Eanam Wharf, to further develop and market the product.

The £45,000 grant from the DTI is under the SMART scheme, which helps small firms turn bright ideas into commercially viable products.

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