ENTHUSIASTIC inventor Don Steel plans to breathe life into his latest monster project an inventors' club.

Mr Steel, who has invented a handheld clockwork razor that shaves for up to two minutes with one wind and no other power has been tinkering with inventions in his garage for nearly 50 years.

But his latest idea is to create a club where Wiltshire's inventors can meet to discuss their ideas or seek help and advice from other members and professionals.

And entrepreneur millionaire James Dyson, who made his fortune when he invented the bag-less vacuum cleaner, has backed the scheme.

Mr Dyson said: "This sounds like a really worthwhile initiative. Inventing is more than just a eureka moment. Long-term dedication is essential to getting a good idea off the ground.

"A good support network and an opportunity to discuss challenges openly, is a great advantage in the months and years required to develop an idea. The North Wiltshire Inventors' Club sounds like a great forum."

Mr Steel, of Ryan Avenue, in Chippenham, said: "No one knows it all and for a lot of inventions you need other expertise, which is the whole idea behind setting up the club.

Mr Steel's interest in gadgets and gizmos started in 1953 when he attempted to find a method of balancing the notoriously unstable German Wankle rotary engine.

Now the 73-year-old former engineering firm projects manager spends hours each day turning his wacky ideas into reality.

He has already designed an array of money-saving devices, including a system for collecting and processing rainwater, which has allowed him to slash his water bills.

And his incredible air towel, which dries bathers in seconds, is said to save money on buying and washing towels.

Mr Steel has also designed the 2000 Bed, which is completely antiseptic, cleans itself, and has its own temperature control.

Next in the pipeline is a more efficient pepper grinder, which is also capable of grinding bigger spices, such as nutmeg.

But Mr Steel's fantastic inventions have not yet found him wealth and fame, largely because of the expense of developing inventions and the cost of patenting ideas.

Mr Steel is confident that the inventors' club can be as successful as larger established clubs like the Wessex Round Table Inventors' Club.

But he was anxious to assure potential members, fearful that their ideas may be snatched, that all inventions discussed at the club would be protected by non-disclosure agreements.

He said that the aim of the club was to gain both financial aid and also the professional skills necessary to secure patents for inventors and to bring successful inventions to the market place.

He added: "Have you invented something, but don't know what to do next?

"Do you have a bright idea that you think could be a successful product?

"Are you interested in inventions and new products?

"Do you have a profession or skill that could be useful in the development of inventions?

"If the answer to any of the above is "Yes", then the North Wilts. Inventors' Club needs you.

"But you don't have to be an inventor to join the club, so if you are interested in inventions or gadgets please contact us for a chat."

Mr Steel added that the club eventually hopes to establish close links with other inventors' clubs throughout the UK as well as universities, colleges and companies.

To obtain more information, telephone Mr Steel on (01249) 652058 or or e-mail donatryan@tiscali.co.uk.