It may look like any ordinary handbag but hidden beneath its seams lies James Bond-style technology.

The work of inventor Louise Wilson, her design is promising to take the fashion world by storm thanks to the addition of a security gadget.

It can only be opened once the owner has scanned in their fingerprint.

Louise, 23, came up with the idea after her purse was stolen from her bag in a bar in London's Clapham High Street.

Like thousands of women across the country she had fallen victim to the crime of "dipping", where thieves prey on unattended bags in pubs and nightclubs.

Louise, an industrial design student from Crowborough, was inspired to combine the latest fingerprint recognition technology and most fashionable handbags to stamp out the crime.

Her concept won first prize in a national competition and has captured the imaginations of some of the best-known designers in the country.

With women now carrying mobile phones, music players and computer diaries as well as keys, credit cards and cash, a secure bag is crucial.

Louise said: "Handbags are incredibly important - I don't know a single woman who does not have a handbag with them when they go out.

"But I was fed up having to protect my bag while walking around the streets and in bars in the evening."

She claims the invention will be easy to use, while adding just £60 to the cost of making the handbag.

A simple fingerprint scanner will sit on the side of the bag and relay information to a tiny computer hidden under a secret panel at the bottom.

Once the information from the scan has been recognised, the clasp will open.

Louise added: "I want this to be something every woman will be able to use, not just the rich and famous.

"This will not cost a lot of money. The system I've used only needs one function so you can reduce the costs hugely.

"Lots of people have been asking about it already. I only finished the design a few weeks ago and there is just one prototype."

Nick Hill, part of the world famous fashion design team, Ollie & Nic, said: "The idea of a fingerprint recognition device is intriguing.

"Bags can be constructed and fastened in a multitude of ways and it is not always possible to make every type of bag as secure as we would like it to be.

"At Ollie & Nic we're always looking at ways to make our bags secure without compromising the design."

The designer, who has an outlet in Brighton and supplies Selfridges in London, added: "We include a detachable zip pouch in every bag. Small items can be kept safely within the body of the bag and are not able to either fall out or be easily removed."

Louise's bag won a £1,000 prize presented by AOL Broadband with Brunel University.