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A 'telepathic' microchip that enables paraplegics to control computers has been developed by Dr Jon Spratley, a British scientist.

The chip is implanted onto the surface of the brain, where it monitors electronic 'thought' pulses.

While paraplegics may be unable to move their limbs, their brains still produce an electronic signal when they try.

The new chip captures this 'thought' and transmits it wirelessly, via Bluetooth-style technology, to control a range of simple devices.

It means paraplegics, amputees or those with motor neurone disease, such as Stephen Hawking, could be able to operate light switches, PCs and even cars by the power of thought alone.

The technology is the idea of British engineer Dr Spratley, who developed it while studying for a PhD at Birmingham University.

Dr Spratley, 28, from Stevenage, Herts., said the main aim of his research is to "help patients communicate."

"We are just trying to help people with severe communication problems or motor neurone disease - like Dr Stephen Hawking or Christopher Reeve," he said.

"What we have designed would allow them to control a computer with their thoughts - if they imagine their muscles moving that could flick a light switch for example."

Dr Spratley works for specialist engineering company 42 Technology, based in St Ives, Cornwall.

Using his micro-engineering and nano-technology skills he developed a tiny sensor which could be implanted onto the surface of the brain.

The device picks up neural signals from the brain's motor cortex, and captures the moment a paralysed patient tries to move their limbs.

This impulse is then transmitted to a relay station implanted in the skull, which in turn sends the signal to a receiver housed in simple computers.

Tests have shown the technology to work in the laboratory, but trials are yet to begin on humans.

Dr Spratley, who was awarded the MediMaton prize by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, claims implanting the chips will require minimal invasive surgery.

He said it could change the life of a quadriplegic or motor neurone disease sufferer.

"It began as an investigation into what signals paralysed people can generate," he said.

"If they can imagine using a limb, even if they can't move it, you can tap into that signal.

"Then you just have to imagine moving the muscle and the leg will move, the brain will train itself."