Renowned Twickenham inventor Trevor Baylis, has died aged 80.

He is believed to have died of natural causes in his home on Eel Pie Island early this morning (March 5).

David Bunting, who runs his company, Trevor Baylis Brands, said he had been ill for a long time and has no living relatives.

"He made an enormous difference as the sole inventor in this company and did a tremendous amount to publicise their role and the importance of the inventions," Mr Bunting said."

He added that Mr Baylis had been seriously debilitated, having suffered from Crohn's disease.

Among many things, the Twickenham man was known for developing the wind-up radio in 1992 for people in the Third World who do not have access to electricity or batteries.

This earned the inventor an OBE in 1997.

It wasn't just his creations that struck a chord with people though.

He was well known for championing the rights of inventors and was often outspoken about intellectual property rights.

Scotland Yard said his death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Vince Cable, MP for Twickenham, said: “I am incredibly saddened to hear of the death of Trevor Baylis, a long standing Twickenham resident.

“He was quite rightly internationally famous for the invention of the wind-up radio and so much else.  

“I am proud to have worked along with him, in his campaigning work to get proper recognition for inventors who he believed were too often ripped off by lawyers and venture capitalists. 

“Trevor was truly a great man who made a huge difference to this world.”