A washing machine designed to work faster than any other model on the current market has been developed by a Japanese company.

The Moving Drum appliance utilises the technical differences between washing and drying clothes to perform each task in what the manufacturer claims is half the traditional time taken by rivals.

Using an upright drum to wash clothes, the device then moves to a slanted angle in order to dry the items, depending on how full the machine is.

"It''''s not only about saving time for users but also saving energy," said Kazuhiko Mizuno, a spokesman for Mitsubishi, which has developed the appliance.

In related news, household appliances appear to have become more popular in recent years.

Research from Halifax Credit Cards this week found that UK consumers spent a total of £5.7 billion on various pieces of equipment in 2005, up from £4.4 billion in 1995.

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