A NEWPORT-BORN inventor has launched what he says are the world's first permanently-tied shoe laces.

Peter Greedy, 44, from Lliswerry, began developing the idea for Greeper Laces in 2001 after becoming frustrated about his children's laces constantly coming untied.

After patenting the design in 2006 the company launched the laces last year and has since sold around 5,000 pairs online and in independent shops in London.

The laces, which can be fitted to most shoes and come in several designs and colours, have attracted demand from all over the world including Norway, The Netherlands and America.

They work by threading the laces through the top holes of a shoe and into the Greeper connector to make a bow shape.

They are then threaded through the rest of the holes before the loose ends are tucked into a second connector and pulled tight to keep them in place.

They can be loosened by pulling a tab attached to the top connector and tightened by pulling each loop of the bow in an outwards direction, the same as a regular lace.

The father of three to Sam, 17, Ben 16, and Juliette, 13, who now lives in London, said the laces have proved popular with all markets and especially amongst those with disabilities and learning difficulties.

The former optometrist turned entrepreneur said: “The obvious health and safety benefits, where people cannot ever trip on their undone lace, has been praised by general consumers, health and safety and disabilities and special needs markets.

“The appeal is strengthened by the fact that people can still wear shoelaces and not be confined to Velcro or slip-on shoes.”

The laces cost between £7.50 and £9.95 and can be purchased at www.greeper.com.