TWO Enfield robotics students have created a flying video camera that they say could be used by British soldiers in Afghanistan.

The 230g device – named SQ-4 – is the size of a Frisbee and can fit inside a backpack, becoming operational in less than a minute.

PhD student Mehmet Ali Erbil, 25, of Enfield, and Witek Mielniczek, of Southgate, were part of a team at Middlesex University that came up with the gadget and will pitch it to Ministry of Defence officials at an exhibition in central London this week.

Mr Erbil said: “This could make soldiers even more effective at scanning areas for bombs, traps or suspicious activity as current systems are cumbersome and costly so their use is more limited.

“SQ-4 could give British troops the competitive edge and reduce their vulnerability in unfamiliar terrains.”

Reaching a height of 400ft, the device is steered by a handheld remote control and goggles and the team say the device is less likely to be detected as it has no fixed wings – like current equipment used in the region.

Dr Stephen Prior, robotics specialist at the university, said: “It's vital that soldiers' surveillance work goes unnoticed and SQ-4 is far smaller than current devices which look very much like large model aircraft and are over a metre in size.

“We're providing a bird's eye view with a vehicle that's literally the size of a bird.”

To see the contraption in action, click here.