The mother of invention! (From Penarth Times)

The mother of invention!

A PENARTH mum has won the Mothers of Invention competition on the Richard Hammond 5 o'clock show on ITV 1.

Mother-of-two Melissa Edmunds, inventor of Safe-sip - a spill-proof drinking vessel for young children - beat off competition from two other contestants on the live television show broadcast on Tuesday, January 24.

Melissa's prize is the help of a business guru who will assist her in getting Safe-sip on to the market.

Last November, Melissa won a silver medal in the consumer category at the British Invention Show held in Alexandra Palace.

She has now been nominated for a British Female Inventors and Innovators Award (BFIIN), judging of which takes place this month at the Guild Hall in London.

With two small children of her own who regularly spilt their drinks, but who had grown out of toddler cups, Melissa sought a solution to the problem.

She designed a disposable anti-spill device that fits on glasses and bottles of any size.

Melissa said: "This is a really fun cover for the kids to use, and allows you to have a peaceful and dry meal.

"But it is also great for covering your drinks whilst travelling on planes and trains. Also as you can drink whilst lying down, it is very useful for hospital patients and the elderly, and with wider hygiene concerns such as diseases and spiking, by fully covering your drink it stops it from being contaminated."