AN idea for floating soap, that turned out to have healing properties, has put its inventors in line for an innovation award.

Albert and Eric Rutter, from Fishburn, in County Durham, developed a solid, naturally buoyant soap, but manufacturing restrictions meant they could not progress with it.

By chance, a nurse who had started using the soap noticed that a stubborn skin infection cleared within four days.

She tried it on some of her patients with similar success.

The brothers refined the soap, which is made from minerals and plant extracts. Although that led to the soap losing its buoyancy, the new formula proved even better at treating skin conditions.

Eric said: "We were disappointed that our original idea didn't come to fruition, but the spin-off has been that the soap helps and, in most cases, cures serious skin conditions.

"One customer, who had been battling serious eczema since he was a teenager, started using the soap and found that the condition was cured within months."

The pair, who are trying to set up clinical trails have formed Pharos Health Products Ltd, which employs four full-time staff. It has 3,000 customers and hopes to export the soap. The closing date for entries for the Spirit of Innovation Awards, organised by the North-East of England Business and Innovation Centre, is April 30.

Four category winners - student, individual, small company and large company - will receive a cheque for £1,000 and support to develop their innovations. The overall winner receives an additional £5,000.

For an entry form, call Victoria Walton on 0191-516 6045.