A WOMAN battling a lifethreatening disease has invented a revolutionary energy-saving device.

The gadget shows householders exactly how much gas, electricity and water they are consuming at any given time.

Scot Tanya Ewing, 38, has been praised by the energy industry for her "exciting" invention and orders are now rolling in for the fully patented product.

The device, Ewgeco, works by showing the precise consumption of electricity, water and gas in real time, including oil and LPG use.

Each time the appliances and taps are turned on and off, the display panel on the small box will show the level of consumption.

Now Tanya, of Perth, is taking orders from UK housebuilders, home improvement stores and local authorities.

Tanya, who has battled debilitating Lyme disease for the past seven years, said: "I can't believe how quickly all this has happened.

"But it's very exciting and I've been blown away by the incredible positive response I have had."

Mum-to-be Tanya was frustrated that utility meters were concealed and difficult to read.

So she went online to search for a visual device that provided real-time energy readings.

She said: "The search proved fruitless but I had identified a gap in the market for a new energy efficiency product."

Tanya got in touch with the Innovators Counselling and Advisory Service (ICASS) for Scotland, an Executive-sponsored initiative who were happy to help.

She said: "All parties involved with the project have been really sympathetic to my medical condition, enabling me to work when I was physically able.

"Most of the work was done over the phone and by emails."

Ewgeco is also designed to be educational, teaching children and adults that each time a bedroom light or the TV is left on standby, it costs money.

Tanya added: "Life is just too short. If you have a good idea, take it further - or you may regret not knowing what might have been."