A PART-TIME inventor who designed a trike for special needs children said progress is being made to bring the design to a global market.

In June, The Bolton News reported that Les McMahon’s design had been picked up by the world’s biggest bike manufacturer.

Mr McMahon, of Worsley, is working with designers at Insync Bikes in Manchester owned by India’s Hero Cycles.

The former engineer made the original trike in his garden shed to enable 13-year-old neighbour Lewis Flint to get out on the roads with his parents.

He said brainstorming sessions with Insync’s experts had proven useful to address problems such as the width of the trike, which had always been its ‘Achilles heel’.

“It might take ten goes for us to get the design right, he said.

“But bearing in mind we want this to go worldwide then we have to get it right. I’ve been amazed with the engagement and the interest we have had since the trike went public, which just shows that something like this is needed for disabled people.”

The trike will cost in the region of £500 compared with alternatives that start at around £5,000.