An inventor has succeeded in winning a patent for his hairdryer design in just three months – potentially the fastest in British and even world history.

Entrepreneur Tony Waithe, of Gascony Avenue, West Hampstead, came up with an innovative hairdryer design to curb repetitive strain injury, a common disorder among professional hairdressers.

The creation won backing from salon industry leader Alan Austin-Smith, the Marquess of Salisbury Robert Gascoyne-Cecil – and even The Queen, who wished the entrepreneur luck in his venture.

Mr Waithe believes the patent may be the fastest ever recorded at the UK’s Intellectual Property Office. He has even been contacted by the Guinness World Records office, which said he may be the first person to get a patent so quickly.

Mr Waithe, who is also a hairdresser, said: “I feel fantastic. I feel like I’ve made it into the history books now. I need to raise the money now. Money’s tight but I have a patent here worth millions that could create jobs and opportunities for people and help to make an impact around the world as a British product.”