PERSONAL trainer Dan Hines has been shortlisted to pitch a business idea to Richard Branson.

Dan has been working on Coreball – a new piece of fitness equipment – for four years using his and is hoping to persuade the Virgin boss to back his invention.

The 27-year-old, who is based at Chepstow Leisure Centre, got the idea for the four-in-one trainer after lugging equipment in and out of storage.

He said: "Coreball is a multi-function fitness product with press pads, kettle bell, medicine ball and dumbbell.

"I got the idea because I was setting up a circuit class and I was pulling out products from storage which takes time.

"I also give directed training for clients and they ask what they can do at home.

"I put those things together and came up with Coreball.

"I've got the second prototype and I've been working with designers, engineers and innovation specialists.

"It's been simplified over time but I've now got a final product that will work and I need investment."

Dan now has a patent pending on his invention and is hoping the Pitch to Rich competition will give him the breakthrough to get Coreball on the market.

He said: "I'm genuinely excited about this – I go to bed thinking about Coreball and I wake up thinking about Coreball.

"It's going to help people and save them money and time.

"I've always had an interest in design but this is the first product I have designed.

"I've travelled five hours to see a particular factory and how they make a particular curve on a particular product."

The shortlist of 150 ideas – based on a public vote – has been announced and the 10 semi-finalists will be revealed earlier next month.

Coreball – which has been entered in the 'new things' category received 613 votes in the initial round which saw thousands of new businesses put forward.

Each category has more than £300,000 in marketing and mentoring support for the eventual winners – as well as the chance to have their face on the side of a Virgin Train.

A video about Coreball can be found on YouTube.