A VEHICLE that can transform the lives of young people with restricted mobility has launched a teenager into the business world.

Louise Elliott, 19, is combining life as a student with being a hands-on director and shareholder of 1st By Design, the company set up to produce and market her idea.

Two years after her original concept, the first off-road vehicle for young people with restricted mobility has been produced and is about to be launched.

She has been helped by Harrogate businessman Keith Hyde, then chairman of Yortek, the association of high-tech companies in York and North Yorkshire.

He said: "Louise entered and won the Yortek 2000 Schools Award with her off-road vehicle for children with mobility problems.

"Our aims were to turn that concept into reality, to meet a real need in the market with a product that could improve the quality of life for less able young people."

As a result, 1st By Design was established with Keith as chairman and Louise as one of the directors.

The project has been taken forward by managing director Roger Barnes, working with Louise.

The market has been researched, the original Bug fine-tuned and the first ones, under the brand name Cyberbug, are now being produced.

The battery powered vehicle can operate on pavements as well as off-road.

It is easily manoeuvred and can be operated independently by youngsters, aged between six and 16, using a joystick.

Louise came up with her idea while looking for a project for her design and technology A-level at St Aidan's and St John Fisher Associated Sixth Form in Harrogate.

The inspiration came from her nine-year-old cousin, Nadia, who suffers from cerebral palsy.

Louise said: "Nadia had tried lots of different vehicles but they're just not aimed at young people. They are ugly, clinical and boringly functional.

"She may have cerebral palsy but she's a typical nine-year-old, wanting to have fun with her friends and be independent. That was in my mind when I came up with the idea."