A CODICOTE inventor who developed a minuscule movement-detecting sensor has been recognised with a national award for innovation.

Dr Diana Hodgins, 42, who left British Aerospace in Hatfield four years ago to set up high-tech research company ETB Ltd with her husband Denis, has been named British Female Inventor in Industry 2002, a scheme organised by the Patent Office.

The miniature gyroscope, which she started working on two years ago, has a wide range of possible uses.

The amazing device can improve mobility for stroke victims or even enhance safety in sports cars.

Dr Hodgins, who lives next to her business in St Albans Road with her husband and six-year-old daughter, said: "It is nice to see recognition.

"It has a vast range of applications. When I was working for British Aerospace I designed a bigger sensor, about 40 millimetres.

"This one is less than 15 millimetres. It is small enough to go into humans.

"Designing very, very small things is what we do. What we have learnt from micro-chip technology, we apply to physical things."

The tiny piece of piezeo-electric ceramic will be used by Welwyn Garden City firm Finetech Medical, which is developing an implant to help stroke victims walk.

"Our sensor will detect when the foot is trying to lift," explained Dr Hodgins, a mechanical engineer who has studied solid-state physics.

Other possible medical uses include measuring the movements of a patient with back trouble.

The Codicote research firm, employing nine people besides Dr Hodgins and her husband, will market the angular-rate sensor, which will be manufactured by Morgan Electric Ceramics in Wrexham, Wales.

Dr Hodgins hopes it will be on the market within two years for as little as £30.

She said: "You could have as many as six in a car if you could get it cheap enough. Anti-lock brakes don't detect skid.

"The sensor could tell if a car was skidding, and take corrective action on the brakes on one side or the other.

"In an open-top sports car, a protective cage could spring up if it was about to roll over."