A FATHER'S idea to help his disabled daughter has led to the creation of a business.

Tim Leadbitter, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was concerned that his daughter, Sophie, was always the centre of attention at nursery because she needed help from her teachers when sitting on the floor.

The 33-year-old invented the Horseshoe support seat in response, and four-year-old Sophie, who has cerebral palsy, can now sit unaided and comfortably join in with activities without having to receive extra attention.

Encouraged by feedback received from Stephenson Way Nursery, in Newton Aycliffe, friends, family and Sophie herself, Mr Leadbitter has now set up a business with his father, Edmund, partner Deborah Talbot, and her mother, Valerie, called Kidstuff 4 U.

Mr Leadbitter, who also has a two-year-old daughter, Katie, has realised that able-bodied children can also benefit from the Horseshoe when they are first learning to sit.

He is hoping that judges of the Spirit of Innovation Awards will recognise the potential of the Horseshoe support seat for children.

Now in its sixth year, the awards recognise and celebrate ideas that could, or already have, achieved commercial success.

Mr Leadbitter said: "Because Sophie has cerebral palsy, she has always needed help sitting up, so it inspired me to design my own seat where she received the support she needed without the help of an adult, and which also strengthened her muscles.

"Sophie really benefited from the Horseshoe seat when she was at nursery. She was able to get involved in activities without help from her teacher, which is excellent for her confidence."

The Spirit of Innovation awards ceremony will be held at Gosforth Park Hotel, Newcastle, on Wednesday, October 6.