A UNIVERSITY student has designed a device that can help visually impaired people identify colours.

Andrew Cowen, 23, from Altrincham, built the device after being inspired by his grandma who had been registered blind for over 40 years.

The student, studying Product Design at Nottingham Trent University, called the device 'KOLEY' and it is used to help visually impaired people brighten up their wardrobe, tell the difference of fruit ripeness and recognise medication box colours.

Andrew said: "I wanted to create something that has future potential to aid all visually impaired people, with further development I hope the device will be able to read text, making daily life easier and giving greater independence.

"My grandma often wore bright clothes as they were more cheerful, but found it difficult to match colours correctly."

"She inspired me to use my degree research to design a useful solution to help her and others who have problems with their vision."

The device is worn on the wrist and can be pointed at an object to identify the colour and will say the colour aloud or through an optional earpiece.

The technology uses a device that converts light to an electric current which detects red, green and blue colours before feeding this back to the processor which matches it to a set code, that will identify the colour the device is pointed at.

Andrew designed the device as part of his final year degree project after seeking advice from visually impaired people at the charity MySight and after graduating from university, plans on seeking investment and support with the aim of reducing the device's size to that of a usual wristwatch.

Principle Lecturer of Product Design at Nottingham Trent University, James Dale, said: "Andrew’s product has the potential to make a big impact on the lives of the visually impaired."

The device will go on display at the university’s 2017 Degree Show from June 3 to June 10.