A WIDNES bricklayer has made dreams come true for paralysed patients, wounded soldiers and stroke victims who feared they would never play sport again.

Stuart Walsh, aged 48, has invented a glove which locks your grip in place with a velcro strap.

It has enabled a 29-year-old investment banker who broke his back after a fall to play golf, a young boy with multiple sclerosis to ride a bike and injured servicemen to use rowing machines in the gym.

He has adapted his idea to create elastic tube grips and fingerless mittens for people crippled with arthritis to do everyday tasks like brushing their hair, painting and gardening.

Stuart sold his house to develop eight 'Gripeeze' products with his company Grip Aid Limited and has just achieved his biggest breakthrough - the chance to demonstrate them himself on the TV shopping channel QVC.

He came up with the idea after injuring his own hand at work.

Stuart, from Hough Green, said: "I had been on a jackhammer for two days and damaged tendons at the bottom of my finger. My hand swelled up like a ball and I couldn't bend my fingers.

"I went to Widnes Market, got a wooly mitten and strapped my hand onto a trowel. It was simple and crude but it worked."

He realised his invention could help others so he paid £28,000 for a patent and found a manufacturer in Pakistan to fine tune his designs.

He has an office in West Bank and now works with therapists in14 hospitals and Headley Court defence medical rehabilitation centre.

Stuart added: "If people have a stroke or arthritis, this glove gives them an instant grip. They have got a usable hand back. It locks you onto that object. You can let go and the glove does all the work. It takes away the repetitive strain.

"I've had letters from people saying it has changed their lives, given them back their independence and dignity.

"It is very satisfying to think that my little glove could have so many applications. It has helped window cleaners, fishermen and many people who can't move their fingers.

"I've just done a screen test with QVC. They say when it goes out they could sell 1,000 a minute. It's incredible."