Inventor designs tangle-free lead

The designer says the spherical lead is a simple idea

An electrical extension lead that should never get tangled has been patented by a Devon graduate.

Oliver Blackwell, 25, developed the spherical PowerBall which will not fall over or unplug.

The former Plymouth University student said he got fed with extension leads which got wrapped around trees when he was mowing the lawn at his Exmoor home.

"Basically PowerBall is like taking a well behaved dog for a walk as it always follows you," he said.

"I realised a ball shape would be a lot more practical. It's a very simple idea really."

An initial run of 10,000 units are to be manufactured and it will be on show at the Ideal Home Exhibition in London.

Three years ago Mr Blackwell won an award for an invention which washes, dries and irons clothes and is now being developed by commercial manufacturers of white goods.