THE world's supplies of fossil fuels are running dangerously low - but the sea could hold the answer.

That's the message from Alex Southcombe, an inventor and chemist from Oakmere, who believes that the search for alternative and renewable energy sources is of vital importance.

And it appears that he may just have come up with the perfect solution, the sea.

He said: "I spent the last 10 years in South East Asia during which time I saw a lot of storms and I thought there has to be some energy in there.

"Then one day I was in the usual think tank (the bath) when the idea came to me.

"It is so simple just to use the static pressure of waves."

The invention is based on the principle that the peaks and troughs of waves generate different pressures.

The device has two chambers, one which allows water to flow in and another that allows water to flow out.

As the water rushes from one chamber to the other it drives turbines and generates power.

The best location for the invention would be in the southern seas, just north of Antarctica where the waves are, on average, large enough all year to drive the turbines.

Alex believes that for these devices to produce optimum power they would need to be about the same size as a football pitch, and 30 of these would be needed to power a town the size of Northwich for a year.

In turn about 15,000 devices would be needed to power England.

But the invention is completely environmentally friendly and because the water passes through the device and is not contained, the energy source is infinite.

Alex's invention has so far generated a lot of interest but has received no formal backing which is required if the invention is to be constructed and have a full trial in open seas.

If you can offer financial or scientific support to Alex or you would like more information about the project call 01606 889868