Stephen Noble is hoping to scoop the coveted John Logie Baird Award for his innovative Latch-a-Lead.

If successful, Stephen, 28, will win a £20,000 business support package for his unique design dog lead which allows dog walkers to let their pets off the lead from the handle, instead of the collar.

Stephen, who works as a leisure centre attendant in Clydebank, said: “I often take my dog, Napoleon, out on my bike. Having to get off the bike to release Napoleon from the lead frustrated me and made me think that having to bend down to unhook the lead at the collar must be difficult for elderly or disabled dog owners. The Latch-a-Lead solves this problem.

“My patented design allows users to release the lead ­using a device in the handle. This means there is no need to bend down or, in my case, get off my bike.

“There are 19 million dog owners in Britain and I ­believe my invention will make a big difference to them. I hope it will replace the standard lead altogether.”

Organisers of the John ­Logie Baird Awards Programme are now calling on other inventors to follow Stephen’s lead and enter their original ideas for an award.

Isabell Majewsky, chief ­executive of business support organisation The GO Group, said: “Stephen has come up with an inventive solution to an everyday problem experienced by dog owners everywhere. This is exactly what the JLB Awards Programme is all about – recognising and supporting innovation talent in Scotland. I would encourage anyone with a good idea to come forward and show us what they’ve got.”

Entrants will have to be quick, the closing date is on Thursday.

Judges will be looking for originality, entrepreneurial ability, market potential and the ability to develop the idea. Regional winners will be ­selected to go forward to the national competition.