DULVERTON-based inventor Oliver Blackwell may have had a few hiccups 'thinking outside the box' when dreaming up some of his products.

The 26-year-old's childhood creations of a 24-hour toaster that took all day to cook your toast and a magnetic roof rack that slid off the car when it rained may not have set the world on fire.

But his idea of a drumless washing machine that also irons clothes could be a real winner - with a little help from Free Press readers.

Oliver's WashDryIron has been shortlisted for a British Airways Great Britons award.

The invention - which allows dirty clothes to go into the machine and come out on a hanger, crease free and ready to wear - has made it through to the final eight after impressing a panel of judges including BA chief executive Willie Walsh and Olympic gold medalist Denise Lewis.

But the final decision is down to a public vote and Oliver needs people to register their support by Tuesday (June 9).

As part of the London 2012 sponsorship, BA is giving away 180 free flights a year until the Olympics get underway to talented individuals in a host of different fields, from sport and performing arts to fashion and invention.

The WashDryIron has already won Oliver the 2006 title of Daily Mail Designer of the Year.

But although he has built more than 1,000 prototypes in the last four years, he needs some key industrial information from businesses on the other side of the world to take his idea further.

Oliver needs to travel to New Zealand to visit two businesses - a manufacturer of component parts and a large commercial laundry.

"The information I need cannot be obtained over the phone or by email - I've tried," said Oliver.

"I need to be on the ground and see the machinery working and talk with the operators and engineers.

"The science [of the WashDryIron] works but the prototype has to be reformed to make the project commercially viable."

Oliver believes he was meant to be an inventor and set up his business Oliver Blackwell Design while he was studying industrial design at Plymouth University.

Since graduating, he has worked on everything from agricultural machines to luggage, with the Daily Mail accolade one of the high spots - especially as James Dyson won the same award with his vacuum cleaner in 1995.

Oliver has already set up production lines in both China and New Zealand for the WashDryIron and this month has launched another of his products, Revolution Ball, a tangle free extension cable device (http://www.revolutionball.com">www.revolutionball.com) that is currently being sold through DIY and trade outlets.

To vote for Oliver and help him achieve his dream, visit http://www.greatbritons.ba.com">www.greatbritons.ba.com.