AN ALERT mum who invented a device to protect her children from internet perverts has scooped another top award.

Paula Ward, 31, came up with the idea for the Internet and Phone Guard after her daughter secretly used a chatroom.

The mum-of-five won the Woman of the Year Award trophy at the Invention and New Product Exposition in Pittsburgh, USA.

Miss Ward was also inspired after former staff at her beauty salon in the High Street, Penge, ran up a £500 phone bill.

When the device is placed over a phone socket a pass code is needed to dial numbers which have not been stored, potentially blocking access to the internet and unwanted phonelines.

Miss Ward said: "It was great to get this recognition when I was up against people from universities and major companies.

"Stephanie was only 12 at the time she used the chatroom and that scared us. I felt powerless and decided to do something about it.

"We've had to re-mortgage the house twice which was a big risk but it looks like it will all be worth it in the end."

Miss Ward paid a Swanley-based electronics firm to build a prototype she could pitch to firms and enter into competitions.

The inventor, who also won top prize at the British Invention Show last year, has signed an exclusive deal with a technology company and expects to see the £25 device in the shops by mid-August.

She said: "I hope this is going to make me my millions but, most of all, I would like it to inspire anyone with good ideas to follow them through."

Her husband Rory Donnelly collected the prize while Miss Ward stayed at home with son Alfie, one, who had an ear infection.