A college student has reached the semi-finals of a national design competition after inventing a West-meets-East dining table.

Douglas Lau, 19, impressed judges at the Audi Young Designer of the Year competition with his table, which can be used normally or collapsed to allow diners to sit on the floor.

The Lancing College student has spent 12 months designing the table and putting together a business plan to fund, manufacture and market the product.

He is determined to get the table into the shops and, with a retail price in the region of £200, has set his sights at the mass market in Europe and the Far East.

Once he has completed his A-levels in maths, design technology and art he is hoping to go to Loughborough University before setting up his own business.

The annual Audi competition included a day in Southampton where Douglas presented his design and was interviewed by a panel of judges.

One judge was so impressed he offered to buy a table on the spot.

Douglas, whose family originates from Hong Kong, said: "At first I just wanted to make something flatpack and functional.

"Then I had the idea of making a two-in-one table which could either be used in the Western way or as a floor-level table."

Nick Gwilliam, head of design and technology at Lancing College, said: "Douglas' table is now the star attraction at the school's exhibition, which includes more than 70 design products by our students.

"We aim to equip all of them with the ability to take an idea and develop the concept fully for the real business world.

"We're confident we will see Douglas' table in the shops very soon."

May 31, 2005