A Bournemouth University graduate has bagged £2,000 after inventing a safer motorcycle helmet that it is hoped could save thousands of lives.

Jack Hooker won the 2010 Santander Design Grand Slam with his Splinter Motorcycle helmet, which allows riders to quickly and safely remove their helmet following an accident.

The 23-year-old developed the helmet as a project when completing his BSc (Hons) in computer-aided product design this year.

The helmet works by allowing a rider to remove side clips which unlock the interior and allow it to slide apart saving vital seconds following an accident.

Jack said: “I used to ride motorbikes when I was younger and had a couple of accidents so I knew there was an issue there. I then did some work with the St John Ambulance, who helped to develop the brief further.”

The Design Grand Slam, now in its second year, is open to individuals and groups currently enrolled on the university’s Commer-cialisation Programme with a relevant design-related project.

Judges listened to pitches from five participants before choosing Jack to receive the cash from the partnership between Bournemouth University and Santander Universities.