SLOW eaters who struggle to finish a meal need never eat cold food again now an Eltham man has come up with a revolutionary invention to keep food warm.

Tom Reed, 70, of County Gate, helped design a heated tray after his sister, who had cancer, found it difficult to finish a meal before it got cold.

Together with his nephew, Paul Vanderhook, 44, of Cumberland Avenue, Welling, he designed the Heat n' Eat Lap Tray.

The tray has a sack beneath it filled with wheat and a secret "additive heat-retention agent", which holds heat for up to 90 minutes.

By putting it in the microwave for up to five minutes, the tray which also has non-slip strips to stop plates falling off will keep a meal warm for 45 minutes.

Mr Reed came up with the concept and, after his sister died three years ago, the pair fine-tuned the idea.

They have also taken steps to safeguard their invention by getting it patented.

Mr Vanderhook said: "It takes elderly people a long time to eat a meal and after 15 minutes food gets cold. The tray means food remains palatable for longer."

Mr Reed was first inspired by his inventor uncle, who believed whoever invented something to keep food warm would make a fortune. He said: "It's usually the simplest things which work."

The cushion can also be removed and used to put on the body to relieve aches and pains, as well as for warmth.

Mr Vanderhook is currently looking for manufacturers for the tray which, he says, has already aroused interest from care homes and Bexley meals on wheels.