Entrepreneur Richard Cansdale, of Hartburn, is ready to unveil his unique hay net gadget after months of perfecting his idea.

The 'HayMate', which has been registered for a patent, aims to take the strain out of feeding horses as it holds the hay net in place while it is filled, before releasing the bag in one simple movement.

Friends are already queuing up to buy the product, which can be free-standing or wall-mounted, and Mr Cansdale is eager to show it to a wider market.

"We have been delighted by people's enthusiasm for the HayMate. They find it therapeutic and satisfying to use," he said.

"The pegs are turned outwards to grip the net so you can use as much force as you want to stuff it with hay, but pushing the handles lets the spindles twist inwards to drop the full net conveniently at your feet.

"'Wrapped, packed and delivered' is how one user described it."

Mr Cansdale, 61, who has a number of inventions already under his belt, such as special water pumps for Africa and gadgets for collecting grass, came up with his latest idea as he and his wife Sue were feeding their ponies, Smoky-Joe and Windy, last November.

As the work was taking its strain on his back, the inventor set his mind to a solution and within a week the first HayMate was born.

The original, which was made from an old cot, is still being used by the Cansdales, but work is in progress to perfect the design and improved versions have been developed.

"Inventing is like a virus that gets into you. When you see a problem you don't say 'how can I buy the solution?', you say 'how can I make it?'. This is how the mind ticks," said Mr Cansdale.

"With this invention, it worked first time, but you always brace yourself and think 'what have I overlooked?'

"I have spent a lot of time going down dead-ends. Sometimes even when I get something to work quite well I'm prepared to drop it and go down a different route to make it even better."

Most of Mr Cansdale's inventions are for personal use, but with an estimated 1.4m horses in the UK and 800,000 owners, not to mention the worldwide market, he feels the HayMate could be a commercial hit.

"Everybody with horses knows that filling hay nets is a real pain. There is a widespread need for this product," said Mr Cansdale.

"We are desperately trying not to take orders, but we can't stop people.

"We can start small, but we do believe there is colossal potential for this, with a worldwide market."

The entrepreneur has been considering a trip to TV's Dragons' Den to seek backing and publicity for his gadget, but has decided to carry out more market research and development work first.

The product will be aimed at a wide market, from individuals to veterinary schools, farms and businesses.

It will be unveiled to the public at the Dyke Neuk Show on Sunday when people will be invited to try it for themselves.