AN ingenious device created in Colchester is being used in the showers of power.


The “Clock it” shower timer was the brainchild of students at Colchester County High School for Girls.


It works by alerting bathers when four minutes is up - considered to be enough time to get clean.


The Year 12 students - as part of the Young Enterprise team Resolute - say limiting shower time helps cut down on energy costs and save water.


The timer won awards in the Young Enterprise competition and now their initiative has won praise from politicians including Prime Minister David Cameron, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, leader of the opposition Ed Milliband and Education Secretary Michael Gove.


Mr Cameron was sent one of the timers by Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell and wrote to the school praising the students’ work.


In his letter, he said: “I am impressed at how comprehensively you researched the idea and then identified the most financially viable way to get the product to the customer.
“Thanks again for sending me a ‘Clock it’. I shall certainly be trying it and recommending its use to members of my family.”