A PENSIONER has become a global success after inventing ‘multi-purpose drying caddy’.

Christine Daws, from Steyning, became frustrated with recyclable bottles, plastic bags and rubber gloves cluttering up her kitchen draining board and taps. After a fruitless search for a utensil to keep draining board items tidy, Christine had a light bulb moment and decided to create her very own drip dryer container.

Using a small wirework basket and two pairs of knitting needles attached with crochet cotton which had belonged to her mother, Christine soon had her very own drying device prototype.

She collaborated with leading invention development company Innovate Product Design for help with developing, protecting and commercialising her new design, following advice from her granddaughter and a friend to patent her idea.

Mrs Daws said: “My journey goes to show that you can embark on a new career at any age and a grandma can learn new tricks!”

Innovate managing director Alastair Swanwick said: “When she showed us her invention, we thought this had real potential.

“It has been a joy to work with Christine and this demonstrates that age is no barrier for entrepreneurship.”

Innovate developed the idea so that she could professionally present her invention to KitchenCraft, who have licensed it under the name of ‘Multi- Purpose Drying Caddy’ and agree to pay Christine Daws royalties.

It is now for sale in shops, garden centres and also through Amazon and by January 2015 orders had been sent to the UK, New Zealand, Portugal, Austria, Ghana and France.

For more information please visit: www.innovate-design/media