Paul Thorne reckons he has supplied 500 examples of his Dasher rodent catcher over the past nine months to people attracted to the humane, poison-free device.

Rodents tempted to enter the Dasher are dispatched in an instant by a compressed air powered clamp, which is activated by a bait trigger. The clamp automatically opens to drop the carcass into a collection tray and prepares for its next victim.

There is sufficient compressed air supply for 10 operations and the tough plastic box that houses the mechanism allows it to be used indoors or out. The rat and mouse version is priced £450 and there is a squirrel version for £250.

See more on the Royal Highland Show on our Taking Stock blog.