AFTER weeks of speculation Dyson launched its newest invention, a dual-drummed washing machine, Thursday morning.

A million hours of research and development have gone into developing the hi-tech machine, which was launched in front of the world's media at Dyson's Malmesbury factory.

Inventor James Dyson claims the machine, which will sell for just under £1,000, will clean a load of washing in half the time of the next best competitor with a 40 degree wash cycle time of under one hour.

Mr Dyson said: "We were astonished to discover the results from handwashing were better than the best automatic washing machine.

"We looked at all aspects of washing by hand and found the results were achieved because the fabric was flexed.

"The two contrarotating drums produce a dancing effect for the clothes which cleans them faster and better than even hand washing can do."

The machine's drum is 25 percent bigger than the leading competitors and is capable of taking a seven kg load. It will be assembled at the Malmesbury factory, providing an extra 200 to 300 new jobs for the area.

"We want to go on making it here in Malmesbury," he added. "We like being here and want to continue to employ locally rather than going out to the cities.

"All the engineering, design and planning has been done here and quite a lot of the moulding of components as well."

Many of the machine's components have been brought in from across Europe but every machine will be assembled in Wiltshire. It is hoped the Dyson CR01 Contrarotator will hit the shops in time for Christmas.