A LOCAL inventor had the ultimate seal of approval when his award-winning product received the biggest order ever seen on The Apprentice.

Derrick Barker’s booster back pack – Boostapak – was pitched by contestants on the BBC reality show last week to major French retailer La Redoute, which placed an order for 214,000 euros, the largest order ever seen in The Apprentice boardroom.

The Boostapak was born after it became a legal requirement for all children to use a safety device when travelling.

It is a child’s car booster seat stored within a backpack which can be easily carried around.

Mr Barker, of Bishampton, near Pershore, said: “The success of the Boostapak is a fantastic showcase for great British design, proving to the world that Britain is still at the forefront of innovation.”

In the show, aired last Wednesday, The Apprentice hopefuls had to introduce British products to the French market.

Contestants Helen Milligan and Susan Ma pitched the Boostapak to La Redoute, labelling the product as a convenient item for the “modern, working woman”.

Mr Barker, managing director of JMDA Designs based in Hill Furze, near Pershore, invented, patented and rigorously tested the product before selling it to Trunki and it has since become a multi-award winning product.

The original design was for a lunchbox/booster seat but as fashions changed Mr Barker adapted his design.

Trunki founder Rob Law appeared on Dragon’s Den in 2006 with his suitcase on wheels for children, which was rejected by the Dragons.

Since then the company has created a range of innovative products.

After its appearance on The Apprentice, Trunki has reported that sales of the Boostapak have doubled.

• Watch the Apprentice episode on BBC iPlayer here.