Amanda Jack, a student at Glasgow Caledonian University, invented Plaster Masta to dissolve plaster casts and save patients from having their casts cut off with a saw.

Her idea has now won the Scottish Institute for Enterprise's (SIE) New Venture competition and a £5000 prize.

Amanda, who set up a company, Mediscot, to market Plaster Masta, said: "I am delighted to win. In practical terms it means I can pay the bills – being a nursing student it's not easy to fund each step of the process, such as paying suppliers or securing the patent.

"SIE has been wonderful and the business support I have won today will be very useful.

"When I first set up the company I was terrified – I didn't know what to do. I really wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for SIE."

Amanda developed Plaster Masta in 2011 after completing a student nurse placement within a plaster room.

After seeing the distress caused to patients she decided to research alternative ways of removing plaster casts.

The 32-year-old created a soaking solution which helps dissolve the cast.

The product now has a worldwide market.

Fiona Godsman, head of SIE said: "We have been astounded by the level of creativity and business acumen displayed by all the winners. The entrepreneurial spirit is very much alive in Scotland's universities."

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk