You could say that as far as his career goes, he’s blown it.

Darren West is one of the few remaining professional glass blowers left in the country – and he likes nothing more than seeing his name up in lights.

By his own admission, his line of work is never going to pay a small fortune, but it is the satisfaction of creating a bespoke, one-off piece of neon artwork that remains his biggest thrill.

Now his quirky work is set to be showcased on the catwalk during London Fashion Week, which starts later this month, in collaboration with top milliner Piers Atkinson, whose celebrity clients include Lady Ga Ga and Rhianna.

From his tiny workshop in Ferring, near Worthing, Mr West is working around-the-clock to create a series of illuminated hats for models to wear during the internationally-renowned show.

For full report see today's Argus.