A NORTH-EAST inventor claims he could hold the key to preventing flooding in homes.

Bus driver Brian Petty, 61, said his "water shield" device had proved 100 per cent successful in stopping flood water from breaching doors, windows and brickwork.

Mr Petty, from Darlington, invented the shield 20 years ago, while he was out of work.

More than 180 of the devices were then produced with his blessing in the early 1980s, until a lack of funds prevented the project from developing.

As severe floods hit the country, Mr Petty is hoping a big company will provide the cash to market the shield again.

Made out of plastic, each shield would cost about £50 to make.

It is thought to mass produce the devices would cost about £100,000.

Mr Petty, whose background is in the building trade, said: "In those days, there was not the flooding that there is now.

"All I want is for someone to come in and put their money where their mouth is, so I can set the business up.

"I know the water shield works.