Carl Arnese's ladder design has won him a major award

A student from Bedford has won a major prize in the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Student Design Awards.

Carl Arnese is in his final year of the BA (HONS) Product Design Course at De Montfort University in Leicester.

The 22-year-old won the award for his groundbreaking ladder design.

Carl said: "My ladder offers a new principle of climbing.

"I came up with a way to elevate yourself from the ground using a friction lock system.

"And the tripod leg allows for camber and tilt."

Prize is worth �2,000

The prize, in the Future Homes category of the RSA Awards will give Carl the chance to work with the Innovision Research and Technology Group.

The eight week placement, worth �2,000, will enable him to research and develop his interest in design.

"I feel on top of the world," said Carl.

"It's flattering to know people are inspired by your designs."

The RSA Student Design Awards has been running for more than 75 years.

Previous winners include Jonathan Ive, designer of the iMac.

More than 2,500 students from disciplines such as fashion, graphics and interior design entered this year's competition.