A PERTH mum was yesterday hoping for further success after being shortlisted for a £10,000 top boffins’ prize.

Bright spark Tanya Ewing, pictured, has been named among the Scottish finalists in the E.ON EnergyLab competition, a UK-wide search to find energy-saving innovations.

Since the power giant launched its inventors’ challenge last September, amateur boffins, entrepreneurs, students and pensioners have submitted a host of clever schemes.

Tanya’s inspired invention has been shortlisted as part of a strict judging process headed-up by former Tomorrow’s World presenter Philippa Forrester and designer Oliver Heath, presenter of ITV’s Dream Homes.

The device, which measures the carbon footprint of domestic properties, is due to be pitched to a panel of industry experts at the competition’s Scottish heat in Edinburgh on February 5.

The eventual winner stands to collect a £10,000 cash prize at the grand final to be held in London in March.

Having seen off a host of other hopefuls, the Hay Street resident said she was delighted by the prospect of representing Perth at the glamour event.

“I’ve always had faith in my ideas and creativity so to have been recognised by the judging panel has been a fantastic surprise,” said Tanya yesterday.

“Reaching this stage of the competition is a massive achievement in itself. Now I can’t wait to step up to the challenge at the regional heat and hopefully secure a place in the national final.”

The 39-year-old mother, who was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 1999, invented the Ewgeco device - pronounced ‘Ugeeko’ - after finding it increasingly hard to read utility meters at home.

Her educational gadget charts real time energy and water consumption by lighting up green, amber and red coloured bars on an LED display when appliances are turned on or water is running.

As power usage goes up, Ewgeco leaves a marker showing the highest daily usage point.

With advance orders already being taken from business customers, models are expected to start rolling of the production line before the summer.

“I have chosen the manufacturer and some models are ready now,” said Tanya.

“The device will go on the domestic market later in the year and stock will be made to order.

“It has taken just two years since my original idea to get this far, which is truly remarkable.”

Last May, Tanya picked up a £1000 prize after being named as Scotland’s most innovative female inventor at the prestigious Biggart Baillie Awards for her work on the Ewgeco, which has received the approval of leading energy efficiency charity Save Cash and the Reduce Fuel organisation.

Looking ahead to next month’s event, Philippa Forrester described Tanya’s invention as “an ingenious concept”.

“We can’t wait to meet her and hear more about this invention,” she said yesterday.