Lugging heavy bags through the airport could be a thing of the past. A new British company is about to launch a range of motorised, self-propelled suitcases it claims will revolutionise the market.

'It feels a bit like taking a very well-behaved dog for a walk,' said Clive Hemsley, managing director of Live Luggage.

Hemsley came up with the idea after his mother suffered a heart attack and died while struggling with heavy luggage at Gatwick. He set up a company to address the problem, and the PA (power-assisted) suitcases are now about to go into mass production. The motors, which Hemsley says will power the bag 'almost to running speed', are entirely contained within the wheels.

The suitcase is controlled through its handle. Squeezing harder makes the case go faster. If the handle is released, the bag automatically comes to a halt.

The suitcase weighs only about 1kg more than a conventional case, and the rechargeable battery can be easily removed at check-in in order to meet airline regulations about electronic goods. It has a range of about two miles before needing to be charged. The PA case, with a capacity of 94litres, costs £397 and will go on sale in November.