A FORMER paediatric physiotherapist from Derbyshire has developed a cushion that aims to improve the posture of children.

Through her company Jolly Back Enterprises, Lorna Taylor, from Smalley, has invented the PosturePadJunior.

Developed with backing from the Healthcare and Bioscience iNet, Lorna launched the product during National Back Care Awareness Week last week.

PosturePadJunior is now being manufactured in Northampton.

Mother-of-three Lorna said: "As a children's physio, I'm concerned at how child development is being adversely affected by current lifestyles.

"I want to show parents how to position their babies to allow core strengthening of the back and neck.

"The wedge-shape cushion is a simple means of naturally supporting the spine for comfort and physical development."

Lorna worked with iNet adviser Dr Ros Graves to get advice, funding and support for her product ideas.

She was eligible to apply for an iNet Innovation, Advice and Guidance grant, part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, which allowed her to design and test the cushion.

PosturePad follows the successful launch of the Jolly Back chair which uses the same wedged-shaped cushion technology to avoid or ease back pain suffered by primary school teaching staff.

Lorna now has 23 UK distributors for the chair taking orders from as far away as Canada and Australia.

The invention earned her a nomination for best start-up at the Medilink Awards, in Nottingham in May.

Ros said: "Lorna has shown incredible resourcefulness by coming up with simple but effective products and bringing them to market so efficiently.

"The potential impact of all her ideas is enormous."