Expat Kiwi's bright idea has the world beating a path to his door

Starpath can be applied in a range of different colours.

A New Zealander has invented what could be the future in street lighting - glow-in-the-dark footpaths.

London-based Hamish Scott has had offers from around the world for the walkways, which light up when the sun goes down, after he created them for Christ's Pieces, a park in the centre of Cambridge, England.

He approached the Cambridge City Council to trial the surface and the authority was so pleased with the results it had plans to introduce it throughout the city, Mr Scott said.

Mr Scott, originally from Otaki, near Wellington, has been inundated with requests for the paths in other parts of England, the United States, Europe, South Africa, Japan, China Australia and New Zealand as word has spread about the invention.

He spent four years developing the technology, named Starpath.

"It's just another Kiwi invention," Mr Scott told the Herald.

"The idea came from watching council workers switching power for light poles on and off every day. I thought there has got to be a better way of doing this with no ongoing costs.

"So this is not only fixing pavements, but it is also lighting them up so they are more power conscious."

The invention, protected under patents by Mr Scott's company Pro-Teq Surfacing, was installed by spraying a mix of ultraviolet particles onto a pathway and then sealing the surface. The path absorbs the day's light and emits a glow at night.

The sealant also repels chewing gum and graffiti. It lasts at least 25 years and various colours can be used to suit surroundings.

Mr Scott has lived in the UK for 22 years and has two daughters, Lana, 9, and Neve, 7, with wife Lara.

Before starting Pro-Teq Surfacing five years ago, he owned the UK branch of Kiwi surfacing company Matta Products.