An entrepreneur from Hadleigh is hoping to revolutionise lounge suites in the homes of celebrities and south Essex families.

Off the floor - Tracy Heritage with her invention Picture: DAVE HENDERSON

Mother-of-two Tracy Heritage, 41, of Castle Lane, has designed a suspended settee called Le Banock.

Inspiration for the aerial sofa struck when she grew fed up with her pet dogs lounging on her two children's floor cushions.

Now that the pair, George, 17, and Chloe, 15, have grown up, their mum has time to make her dream a reality.

Ms Heritage said she thought if she reinforced the corners of the cushions, she could suspend them from the ceiling and keep the dogs off.

Now the idea has been patented and it has really taken off.

Stars like Thorpe Bay singer James Bourne, of the chart-topping band Busted, are queueing up to get their hands on the latest in contemporary seating.

Ms Heritage said: "I've put off doing anything on this for about six years because I was in the lucky situation of being able to bring up my children.

"But now George and Chloe are older, I've had the time to really organise myself."

Prices for the Le Banock, which can seat two people, start at £450.

Published Wednesday September 1, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo