AN INVENTOR has designed a light to improve safety for cyclists.

Emily Brooke, founder of Blaze, won a prestigious award for her invention.

Ms Brooke’s invention is a light which projects the symbol of a bike onto the road.

She worked on the idea while studying product design at the University of Brighton after she took part in a charity bike ride with a friend and fell in love with cycling.

She said she had her Eureka moment when cycling behind a truck, and her Blaze Laserlight is now sold in more than 50 countries.

She said: “As soon as I started my research I found personal safety was by far the greatest challenge. There was one statistic that amazes me – that 79% of cycle accidents occur when the cyclist is travelling straight ahead and a vehicle turns across their path.”

She has now been awarded the New Generation Award, at Veuve Clicquot’s businesswomen of the year awards.

Lorraine Larmer, senior public relations manager at Veuve Clicquot, said: “This year’s winners are titans of business and are hugely inspiring in their approach to their business.

“Emily used her business to tackle the huge issue of cyclist safety.”

Katherine Garret-Cox, CEO of the Alliance Trust, was named businesswomen of the year after judges praised her “inspirational” role.

She has worked in the financial services sector for more than 25 years, heading the Dundee-based firm for the last eight years.

She became one of the highest profile women in the City at the age of 26, and was often referred to as Katherine the Great.

The 47-year-old mother-of-four said she has always had a strong belief in the benefits women bring to organisations, particularly in financial services.

She said: “So many exceptional women have been recognised over its 43-year history and I’m proud to shine a light on female success in financial services.”