Cardboard tents get £500k grant

The design will sleep two people

A former Bristol student has been given £500,000 to produce recyclable cardboard tents which could be used for summer festivals or disaster relief.

James Dunlop, 23, came up with a prototype during his final year at the University of the West of England.

He said he got the idea after hearing about the large number of abandoned tents at Glastonbury Festival.

Mr Dunlop hopes to test his design for a two-person tent later this year before it is marketed in 2008.

'Design award'

His waterproof cardboard shelter, called Myhab, won an award at the annual New Designers' Exhibition after Mr Dunlop graduated from his product design degree last year.

He said waste managers at Glastonbury Festival had told him one of their biggest problems is discarded tents.

"People use and abuse their tents because they are so cheap," he said.

"They are just tired and want to go home after festivals. They do not want to mess about putting their tent away."

A spokeswoman for the Glastonbury Festival said where possible abandoned tents are recycled or given to charity.

The finance group Mint Equity has provided the funding in return for a 30% stake in his idea.