Mother's invention brings hope of silent nights

The world’s first inflatable cot, designed by a British mother-of-three, is set to hit the shops later this year.

Jo Bradford, from Shropshire, invented the lightweight Holi-Doze to help babies sleep soundly and parents travel lightly while away from home

The 36-year-old invented the unusual crib while studying computer-aided design as a mature student at the University of Wolverhampton.

The cot, which weighs four kilos (8.8lbs) and can be tightly packed away, is undergoing final tests and is due to go on sale in April for £89.99 (€131.50).

Jo said: “It is all very exciting. People already want to buy them and one of the mums said her baby wouldn’t sleep in anything else now.

“I got the idea one day while waiting to pick my daughter up from the hotel she worked at.

“I saw a young mother struggling with luggage, a travel cot and a baby in a car seat. She had to make several journeys to and from the car carrying the baby each time and I thought there must be an easier way.”