“We’re buzzing about it.”

The reaction of Tom Parsons and Jamie James after their Dorset startup called Times, and its adventure ready eyewear, got off to the best possible start.

The new venture hit its £7,900 target on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform within 18 hours of its launch.

By 6am on September 12, 318 backers had pledged £25,487 with 17 days still to go.

It means the duo now have the funding in place to start manufacturing their flagship product – sunglasses made from plants with no hinges to break and which never fall off – in October.

Shipping of the new sunglasses is expected to begin in December.

They’re described as the ‘best pair of sunglasses for all times’.

Tom, Owner of Poole-based Aetha Design, said: “We’ve successfully crossed our first hurdle.

“The feedback to the product has been just amazing.

“We’re buzzing about it.”

As reported on Dorset Biz News, the unisex sunglasses have frames made from plants, are biodegradable and will be manufactured to the highest standard in Italy.

They use a flexible strap that holds them securely to the face but also becomes a neck strap when the sun goes in.

The sunglasses also fold flat, allowing them to be worn under a jacket or t-shirt when not in use.

Patent-pending they feature the highest quality polarised lens from Zeiss and are available in three frame colours: Havana, crystal clear and matt black.

Jamie, 33, who splits his time between Costa Rica and the South Coast, came up with the idea for Times in a remote part of Iceland after sitting on his sunglasses and breaking the arm off.

Being resourceful, he found a piece of elastic, attached it to each end of the frame to make a loop and Times was born.

Before starting Aetha Design, Tom, 35, was a Senior Design Engineer at Dyson, working on home electronics products including robotic and battery powered vacuum cleaners.

His consultancy has designed products for companies such as Osprey backpacks, Aquapac phone cases and has worked on several Kickstarter campaigns including designing the Cupple bottle.

The early bird price, limited to the first 200 pairs, was £58, a 40 per cent saving on a £95 recommended retail price.

All 200 at that price have been taken up.

The sunglasses can now be ordered for £68, a 30 per cent saving on the RRP.

Tom said the Kickstarter campaign would continue to raise funds until 5pm on September 29, as planned.

He said: “The more the merrier.

“It will allow us to manufacture even more.

“It’s been the best possible start for us.”

The Kickstarter page for Times can be found here.