Yarmouth-born inventor goes global

A GREAT Yarmouth-born entrepreneur and his wife have created a splash with an invention that's even been given the nod by one of the world's biggest pop stars.

Duncan and Clare Edwards' creation, the Trabasack, combines a travel bag with a lap tray that can be used on the move or while sitting comfortably.

And since coming up with the idea, they have had a whirlwind three years that has seen them win awards, interviewed by Lisa Tarbuck on national radio and featured on Justin Timberlake's website.

Duncan, who worked at Great Yarmouth Borough Council for nine years and used to attend Great Yarmouth High School, explained how their lives had changed:

“Something different happens to us every day. It's been the best job I've ever had as I've no idea what's going to happen the next hour, and we're getting good feedback from happy people.”

The idea came about when artist and designer Clare, a wheelchair user, considered ways of creating a surface to rest on her knees.

But it was only when they were looking for ways to keep their two children entertained in the car that they realised the need was similar.

“It showed us that there was a far wider market out there for this sort of product.”

From 2007, the couple dedicated themselves to coming up with the Trabasack, which has a flat surface on one side and removable cushion section on the other.

And it was in the effort to promote it that they released a video on YouTube, involving a musician friend who used the product to recreate a Justin Timberlake track.

With a quarter of a million hits in a month, it ended up on the musician's website.

Now it is being sold across the world and their business is expected to have a turnover of �120,000 next year. Duncan, who currently lives with Clare in Leicestershire, added: “I'm excited about the future. We're also working with a toy company on something else and developing a website - people are taking us seriously now.”

l To find out more go to http://www.trabasack.co.uk/index.php