"MY mother's got a lot to answer for" - that's how former Chard and Ilminster man Clive Hemsley this week summed up the launch of his £3million invention, the motorised suitcase.

As revealed by the News in 2005, Mr Hemsley, who went to Ilminster Secondary Modern School, started work on the pioneering case as a tribute to his mother, Emily Hemsley, who had a heart attack at Gatwick Airport as she struggled with heavy luggage.

Mrs Hemsley lived in Snowdon Hill, Chard, for 30 years, while Mr Hemsley's father was purchasing director of Powrmatic in Ilminster.

This week, after five years and £3million of investment, Mr Hemsley's company, Live Luggage, finally launched the PA (power assisted) Series onto the market.

He said: "I've got a £1.25million mortgage, stolen my children's trust fund and cashed in my pension.

"It's cost me £3million so far and I feel nervous, but I figured that provided my wife doesn't find out it will be worth it.

"I did have a heart attack last month and I think it was related to the stress of all this. Luggage killed my mother and it's nearly killed me.

"My mother's got a lot to answer for!"

The innovative product, has captured the attention of the nation's media this week and the company's website is getting about 27,000 page views a day.

Mr Hemsley, who has been busy giving TV, radio and newspaper interviews this week, added: "It's a brilliant, revolutionary product - people have got to try it!"

Live Luggage - The Facts

  • Live Luggage's slogan is "because the world is not flat"
  • The suitcase motor only powers up when assistance is needed and will cut out if you let it go
  • Pulling the case with a 30kg payload feels like pulling 3kg in weight
  • The 12V battery is recharged like a mobile phone battery
  • A fully charged case travelled 1.5 miles carrying 32kg on test
  • An empty PA Series case weights 10.6kg, 3kg more than a conventional suitcase, according to the manufacturers.
  • The PA Series is designed, built and assembled in England.
  • The product is billed as the world's first power assisted suitcase
  • The suitcase costs about £700 and is available to buy on-line - click on the link below this story. Inventor Clive Hemsley is hoping to tie up a deal that will see the product sold in shops.