THE world's biggest motorsport show was the scene for the unveiling of the first motorbike helmet with a built-in rear-view mirror.

Reevu, based in Willington, County Durham, is hoping to pick up major orders for the product, which is expected to build on the success of the company's enormously popular bicycle helmet.

Reevu's revolutionary design for the bike helmet has led to worldwide sales, a feat it hopes to repeat with the motorcycle helmet on display at the EICMA show in Milan, Italy, this week.

The RV MSX1 helmets were designed and created by Reevu and are being hand-assembled by specialist helmet manufacturers GPA in Italy.

They are designed to save lives on the roads by preventing accidents as well as protecting the wearer during an accident.

The helmet allows the wearer to see the road behind as well as in front by utilising a system of unbreakable mirrors made from bullet-proof material, fitted inside the helmet mould.

Reevu has an initial production run of 30,000 helmets which it hopes will sell during the next year.

The RV MSX1 helmet meets all international safety standards, and is of a similar size and weight to conventional helmets.

Billy Morgan, chief executive of Reevu, said: "I believe that this safety innovation is so important that it will transform the way people ride motorbikes, and significantly reduce deaths and accidents on the road. Every other vehicle on the road has to have rear view mirrors, but with motorbikes it just does not work efficiently because as you turn the handles your view moves. This helmet removes that problem, and that is why it will be such a revolution across the world."

Reevu expects the basic helmet to retail at about £280 and depending on the demand from retailers and distributors, the rear-view motorsport helmets are expected in the shops early next year.

Reevu was established in 1999. Earlier this year, its rear-view bicycle helmet made its first appearance in stores in the UK and the company now has an international distribution network across 20 countries. The launch of the motorsport version is the culmination of ten years of research and design and an investment of about £2m.