A former locksmith who spends his spare time teaching children about inventing has been recognised by the British Inventors Society (BIS).

In 2008, when he was already British Inventor of the Year, Bill Currie set up the Inventor's Club at Cypress Junior school.

Since then almost 15 other schools have signed up or asked for the scheme for their children.

Last weekend's award ceremony saw Mr Currie take home yet another double gold medal and the platinum trophy for his wheelchair stability invention.

The Swing Seat won the platinum prize for the consumer category.

The chair is designed so users are more stable when they move up and down slopes and stairs in a wheelchair.

During the awards ceremony Mr Currie was pleasantly surprised to be honoured by inventor Jeff Wolfe OBE for the hard work and dedication he has shown to teaching children about inventing.

Mr Currie said: “I was chatting to my other half Gill, when I heard Mr Wolfe talking about a special award for a very special inventor, a man that had become an institution in the world of invention and a serial inventor that came to the BIS year after year winning trophy after trophy.

“He went on praising this man about the work he was doing for the future by teaching in many schools and in prison, that’s when the penny dropped.

“He went on to to present a special silver and crystal rose bowl to me plus a cheque for £2,000 towards my work with the children.

“To say I was gob smacked is the understatement of the year, I was shaking, crying, and stuck to the ground.

“£2,000 is an enormous amount of money for me to use for the children I am absolutely delighted.”

For schools wishing to set up their own inventors club contact Bill Currie at bill@wynslott.fsnet.co.uk