A SCHOOLBOY is celebrating after he was declared the North-East's regional winner of a national inventor competition.

Thomas McDonald, 13, who attends Hummersknott Academy, in Darlington, was up against more than 700 entrants in Sound Asleep's The Dream Lab competition to find the next big thing in sleep innovation.

His design - duel vision sleep inducer glasses - allow the wearer to relax as they play soothing sounds while blocking out light and massaging the user's temples.

It will be one of nine entries to be judged by wind-up radio inventor Trevor Baylis, and Ortis Deley, presenter of The Gadget Show, in the national finals.

The winner, who will be announced on Monday, November 14, will be awarded £20,000 for their school and £10,000 for themselves.

Thomas said: "I am absolutely ecstatic to be a regional finalist.

"I had been asking my teacher Mrs Raine every day whether she had heard back from The Dream Lab because I really wanted to win.

"It was so much fun taking part and coming up with the ideas.

"I felt like I was on The Apprentice.

"I just cannot believe that my invention has been picked as one of the top nine in the competition."