AN INVENTION created in an Ongar workshop could earn its masterminds millions after it won the thumbs up on TV show Dragon’s Den.

The ‘Dry Ice Blade’, which is designed to mimic the effect of ice skating on any surface, was perfected at Applied Product Design (APD), on the Hallsford industrial estate.

And a showstopping pitch from entrepreneurs Karen O’Neill and Karen Coombes, involving ice dancers twirling around the den to the sound of Ravel’s Bolero, won £100,000 of support from Dragon Theo Paphitis.

With the number of ice rinks in the country declining the inventors believe they could have a big hit on their hands.

APD chief designer Paul Ponting said: "Obviously it's a good success story for us as a small company. We're hoping we expect to manage the production of the skates when they're released later this year, and if we can expand the business that'd be ideal.

"It was an unusual product, because most products have to fit a brief, ‘Does it do this? Can it work at 100 miles per hour?’ etc.

"With this we had to make it comfortable and usable for a skater. I've never skated in my life, so it was a learning process.

The invention was not a smash with all the dragons however.

Ms O’Neill, who is from Queen’s Grove Road in Chingford, said: “Peter Jones was really rude. He made me feel like I was the most useless person in the world. He said my product was more for people wanting to take up a hobby than a business and that I had no business sense.

“The Dragons' Den experience was the most nerve wracking thing I've ever done. Presenting to some of Britain's best entrepreneurs sends your legs to jelly and you forget things you've rehearsed a thousand times.

“When Theo said he'd invest the money we didn't believe him. This is a dream come true. Karen and I have invested all our spare cash and time into developing this idea. Getting Theo Paphitis on board is amazing.”

• To find out more about APD visit appliedproductdesign.co.uk