A North-East invention could take the DIY world by storm, with a market potential of £12m, its developers have predicted.

D-Line, in North Shields, North Tyneside, is in talks with a DIY chain to stock its product line.

D-Line has spent three years developing the product, which offers a solution to the problem of recessing pipes or trailing cables from household appliances.

As well as appealing to homeowners, it is expected to be taken up by plumbers, flooring contractors, electricians, local housing authorities and house builders.

Dave Milbourne, D-Line's marketing manager, said: "Until now, to fix new mains wiring you had to channel a surface, bury the cable or pipes, then re-plaster and re-decorate. It is very expensive, time consuming and a messy process, but if appearance matters the only alternative has been white box-profile trunking.

"However, this does not fit modern dcor and it is dated. D-Line has been designed to blend into every room."