THE DRAGON roared at this year's British Invention Show and Welsh inventors triumphed in several categories.

Monmouth-based Andrew Hubert von Staufer picked up a platinum award for design and a gold award for leisure on the strength of his skirider.

The device is a type of snow scooter that can be used without any special boots or bindings.

It attracted a great deal of attention from delegates and journalists during the four-day show at Alexandra Palace, London.

Andrew came up with the idea in an attempt to reduce skiing injuries and share his passion for skiing with his wife.

He said: "As a former ski instructor I'm only too familiar with the wear and tear that skiing can cause to the knees.

"During a holiday to Majorca my wife saw one of the locals on a micro-scooter. She joked that if I could design something similar for snow she would join me on the slopes. The idea stuck."

On his return to Monmouth, Andrew started testing prototypes in his back garden and with support from his colleague Tim Griffin, he teamed up with Tonic Studios and Gareth Lucas' UK Hydro Slides to form Skirider Ltd.

Further testing at Pontypool Ski Centre convinced Andrew, a member of the WDA's Wales Innovators Network (WIN), that the Skirider could become a must-have item on the slopes.

He said: "The interest that we received during the event from both the media and potential customers, including a major sport equipment manufacturer and a consortium from New Zealand, has been incredible. "On my own I would probably still be working on the prototype in the garden.

"What has been significant to the success of this project to date has been the support that I received from two local companies and the Wales Innovators' Network."

The skirider was one of 16 innovative products being exhibited by WIN. Several were decorated with platinum, gold and silver awards.

WIN programme manager Tony Guile said: "Our members have enjoyed great success at what is one of the largest exhibition of inventors in the world.

"A number of contacts were made that will hopefully result in the manufacturing and exploitation of good Welsh ideas."

Assemly economic development minister Andrew Davie said: "WIN is unique in the UK, providing a range of services and support across Wales.

"The fantastic success of Welsh inventors at this year's show demonstrates the benefits of the WIN programme and reinforces our reputation as an innovative country. Congratulations to all."