A LOCAL entrepreneur is hoping to launch his new product on the road to success as he enters this year's Spirit of Innovation Awards.

Billy Morgan first thought of a cycle helmet incorporating a rear view mirror seven years ago. Now his design, which uses a complex series of angled mirrors installed within a modified cycle helmet, is being manufactured and he is at the helm of a new business, Reevu Helmets.

The company, at Low Willington in County Durham, has been largely financed by Mr Morgan, 51.

Already involved in a number of successful businesses in the care, property and recycling industries, he hopes the awards will help to raise the profile of the business.

He also plans to apply the patented Reevu optical system into racing, motorbike, horse-riding and police helmets.

The helmet, the first and only patented design of its kind in the world, has firms from across Europe and beyond lined up to act as distributors.

The Reevu system is integrated into the crest of the helmet, with the final optical component, made from a metalised bullet-proof material, situated in the front peak.

Wearers simply glance up to look into the mirror and see vehicles on the road behind them.

Mr Morgan says the helmet came from a simple idea and he was surprised when major helmet manufacturers showed no interest.

"But, for such a simple idea, the logistics of integrating an optical system into a streamlined, attractive helmet that would maintain safety standards has proved to be very difficult and it has taken a lot of time, expertise, money and patience to get the design right," he said.

One North-East is one of the Spirit of Innovation Awards' key supporters,

Phil Hughes, senior ONE executive for innovation and integration, said: "The Reevu helmet is an ingenious product that is the result of a simple idea developed with skill and dedication."

The awards have four categories: students of all ages including schools, colleges and universities; individuals over 18; companies with fewer than 20 employees and companies with more than 20 employees.

Winners in each category will receive help to develop their innovation and a cash prize of £1,000 at an awards ceremony in June. An overall winner will receive an extra £5,000 cash.

Entry forms are available from Victoria Walton at Spirit of Innovation, North-East of England BIC, Wearfield, Sunderland, SR5 2TA, telephone 0191 5166045.