A NORTH-EAST inventor is entering the realm of James Bond after creating a smartwatch computer.

Paul Gill has invested £75,000 in the Orsto x3 watch, which has the capability of a computer in the size of a 50 pence coin.

The 52-year-old says the watch uses advanced technology only seen in James Bond films, when the fictional spy is handed gadgets by expert Q.

Mr Gill, who trained as an electrical and mechanical engineer at Philips Electronics in Belmont, near Durham City, plans to produce it commercially from July.

He said the watch is different to rival products, which operate through bluetooth connections to a mobile phone.

He was backed by Transmit Start-Ups, who awarded Mr Gill a £9,000 loan to help develop the Orsto x3 and the next series of prototypes.

He was also supported by E3 Design, in Newcastle, South Shields' Amtech, KooDoo Creative, in Stockton, and Sunderland's Software City.

He said: “It's taken about three years to refine and perfect the technology, but all of the elements from design to the screen home page are exactly right.

“I have invested about £75,000 of my own money in this watch and the Transmit loan is a huge help to get it to the next stage of production.

“It's really important to me that these watches are produced in the North-East.

“I want to show the world how great we are at high-tech manufacturing."

Richard Myers, Transmit Start-Ups director, added: “The Orsto is definitely the most high-tech timepiece I have ever seen and the potential for his business is incredible.”