However, The New York Times said that Wright's companies, under the name Waterford Funding, instead invested in the Candwich and other "untried ideas such as rose petals printed with greeting card sentiments and another selling watches over the internet".

Mark Kirkland, president of Mark One Foods, patented the Candwich idea of solid food in a drinks container that has excellent shelf life.

He told The New York Times that despite the financial backing not materialising he believed the products would sell and hoped to go into production later this year.

Wright did not return the newspaper's calls and listings for Waterford Funding had been disconnected or not in service.