Inventors' shop is no wind-up

Student entrepreneurs at Oxford University are hoping to give inventor Trevor Baylis his first success in the quest to establish an inventors'

shop in major university towns.

"I am working with a number of universities and businesses to develop the concept of Baylis Breakout Areas," said Mr Baylis, who invented the clockwork radio. These will be places where inventors can go to get confidential, impartial help and advice.

Matthew Richardson, a member of the student group Oxford Entrepreneurs, said: "Oxford is good at supporting staff with big ideas, but we want to extend this to students and people who may have more modest ideas. The university may support the development of new power jets, while we would support a new type of egg-timer. We are keen to offer Mr Baylis space in the new union offices."

Oxford Entrepreneurs has the support of the Science Enterprise Centre at the Said Business School.