Trevor Baylis, the creator of the first wind-up radio, hit out at TV's Dragons' Den before opening a centre that aims to foster winning ideas.

Mr Baylis was guest of honour at Innovation Centre Medway (ICM) yesterday to officially launch the Maidstone Road, Chatham, complex.

He said the popular show made fun of people and humiliated them. It would be better if the show were turned into some sort of auction. "I am very anti-Dragons' Den," he said.

After demonstrating the latest tiny version of his radio, and a new wind-up walking stick, complete with torch and magnet to pick up dropped keys, he unveiled a plaque.

The £8 million complex in Maidstone Road has already created 100 jobs and is 80 per cent full with 28 new businesses.

The centre has been funded jointly by Medway council and the Homes and Communities Agency.

Mr Baylis created his inventions in his home workshop, but said that all inventors needed somewhere safe to develop their ideas and ICM was the ideal place.

"People have got to be able to have a safe haven where they can do their thing with the help of people they can trust," he said.

Cllr Rodney Chambers, Medway council leader, hoped the centre would encourage more graduates to stay in Medway and develop their ideas and skills.

Cllr Jane Chitty, Medway council's portfolio holder for strategic development and economic growth, said: "This is about individual people who have the courage to go for it."