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A Chinese pensioner has invented an electric unicycle which he says can travel 40 miles on a single charge.

Retired factory worker Li Yunian, 66, of Taiyuan, northern China's Shanxi Province, took two months to design his powered unicycle which he calls 'Cool Friend'.

It has one major wheel and three smaller wheels which act as stabilisers and help control direction.

Li, who worked with a welder friend, said: "It is mainly made out of old bikes. It cost me less than £100 in total - including the three batteries!"

He has won a patent for the invention, which can travel at speeds of up to 12mph, and hopes to eventually go into partnership with a manufacturer to produce it commercially.

In the meantime, Li is giving local people the chance to try out his Cool Friend, so they can help with suggestions to perfect the design.