An inventor has unveiled the world's first hoverchair.

The Lounger, a marriage of cutting-edge design and futuristic technology, was created by Keith Dixon from Middleton, near Bognor.

Its combination of acrylic and powerful magnets defy gravity and enable it to float effortlessly above the floor.

It is expected to be popular but its hefty price tag of £5,875 and limited run of 2,000 ensures it will be something of an exclusive.

Mr Dixon, 40, is launching the revolutionary design at The Ideal Home Show in London's Earls Court on March 14.

He dreamt it up several years ago after it evolved from previous designs for a floating chair and has been a labour of love.

His company Hoverit, of which he is managing director, promises to "change the rules of conventional furniture" and judging by this, its first product, will succeeded in doing just that.

He said: "It's the only one of its kind and I already have lots of pre-orders but we are holding those until after the launch.

"Lying on it is like floating on a cloud and once it's up, it will float forever."

The chair, for which Keith has patents pending, has a user weight limit of 19st but he said it could cope with more than that.

He said that as well as providing a relaxing floating sensation, the permanent magnets can also help relieve back pain, muscular problems and headaches.

The lounger can be bounced using just a finger but will remain stable as the magnets balance it and acrylic rods ensure it does not float away.

Each lounger is sold with a transparent anti-scratch mat and its own limited edition certificate and serial number.

Keith said the floating chair concept evolved from an even bolder idea to cover a whole floor in magnets on which a board with an opposing magnet under it could float.

Through Mr Dixon's imagination and technical expertise, the fictional hoverboard made famous in the Michael J Fox movie Back to the Future II has taken a step closer to becoming reality.

He enthusiastically claimed the concept, called the Rift Glider, could lead to a whole range of magnet-based sports and activities but there is a snag.

He said: "Rift Glider is absolutely possible but the development costs to bring it to life would be huge.

"So, at the moment, we are just happy to hover one person at a time."

Mr Dixon has been designing furniture for the last five years.

The Hoverit lounger is his first product to go on sale but future floating furniture designs are in the pipeline.

He said: "There are so many things you can do with magnets.

"There are a thousand different possibilities and applications that it's just the practicality of working forward with one project before you start another."

The lounger is being manufactured in Hoverit's workshop, just outside Bognor.

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