A STUDENT has won an award for a flight suit design she is hoping to manufacture.

Northumbria University fashion student Hilary Turnock developed the suit as a way of preventing deep vein thrombosis (dvt) blood clots during long-haul flights.

Her creation includes a pair of socks fitted with a "moving balloon" which inflates and deflates up and down the calf to maintain circulation during the flight.

Ms Turnock was presented with a student award, including £1,000, at the North-East Spirit of Innovation awards, held at Newcastle Racecourse.

The former intensive care nurse is hoping her idea will prove a successs across the globe. She is discussing plans to manufacture the socks with companies in the UK and the US.

Ms Turnock, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, said: "I am thrilled to win the award. It was a great surprise and it is nice to have my design noticed.

"The prize money will go towards buying a new computer and will help me run my business. I have already had a lot of interest in the socks from a number of companies."

Ms Turnock developed her idea after working as a nurse at Newcastle General Hospital. She believes it is marketable because it could be folded and vacuum-packed, so it could be handed out on flights.

"It is a really simple idea, but it is one that could save lives," she said