Gadget of the week - Philips Wake-up Light, £130

As winter darkness – and seasonal affective disorder – looms, bring a bit of light into your mornings with this clever device, which is a combined bedside lamp, alarm clock and digital radio. It can be programmed to wake you up by simulating dawn (by slowly illuminating), along with a chorus of natural sounds, from chirping birds to croaking frogs to the gentle crash of waves on the shore. Having tested it out on a very heavy sleeper who hates stirring before 11am, I can confirm that this is rather a splendid way to be woken up. Shop.philips.co.uk