Former Silcoates School pupil Vicky Larkworthy came up with the idea for her ReptoPod after experiencing difficulties in transporting her African pigmy hedgehog, Hodgy, and bearded dragon Gizmo, between Northumbria University and her parents' home in Lennox Drive, Lupset Park.

Miss Larkworthy, who has just graduated with a first class BSc in product and design technology, will be taking the ReptoPod to the New Designers exhibition.

Miss Lark-worthy, 23, said: "Trans-porting my lizard on the train was always difficult because they need to be kept at very specific temperatures – I used to fill up a hot water bottle and put it in a regular carrier but would often find it would be cold by the time I got home.

"I always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to design something to transport exotic animals so when we had free reign to design whatever we liked in our final year, I jumped at the chance."
Similar products already on the market power carry cases through car cigarette lighters, but wouldn't be suitable for public transport.
Miss Larkworthy's design is powered by a removable battery pack which can be recharged via the mains or in the car and the entire carry case can be submerged for cleaning.
Miss Larkworthy has a patent pending and is expecting the ReptoPod to sell for around £80.

The ReptoPod will be on display at New Designers from Thursday, July 10 to Sunday, July 13 at the Business Design Centre in London.
For further information, visit www.newdesigners.com or www.northumbria.ac.uk