The Shoover

IT'S a brilliant feat of design - vacuum shoes which suck up the dust as you walk. The Shoover - which makers Electrolux call the Dustmate - is perfect for anyone who hates housework. It has a tiny rechargeable vacuum inside the base.

And there is a laser movement sensor which switches the suction on and off automatically to save energy. It's all made of green nylon with a flexible rubber sole and elastic sock to fit any foot making it comfortable to wear.

Electrolux said: "We all have to vacuum our home - this product is designed for busy people who want to keep the housework down to a minimum. Dustmate provides a cleaning solution that doesn't take up any precious free time.

"As you walk, the base of the shoes collect dust on the floor without requiring any effort. It is a simple yet creative cleaning concept."

The designers came up with the invention after asking consumers what they wanted and finding that they were just too busy to spend ages doing housework. Research found that only 28 per cent Hoover daily - down six per cent in the last two years. And just 37 per cent do it every three days - down from 32 per cent.

Electrolux hopes its latest gadget will become an "unconscious by-product of everyday life".