DISTILLERIES and candle makers are some of the businesses turning their hands to making hand sanitiser.

There have been shortages of the product across the country as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but local firms are trying to plug the gap.

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Chase Distillery, based in Preston Wynne, near Hereford, has turned its attention away from gin and vodkas and towards hand sanitiser.

Director James Chase, son of William who founded Tyrells Crisps, said the new product, HR1, has been approved by the World Health Organisation.

So far 30,000 bottles have been donated to key workers in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

He added: "I never thought I'd see the day when part of our distillery was used to make anything other than delicious tasting vodkas and gins, but these are strange times.

"So in response to the the growing situation around Covid-19, we have started to use our stills at The Chase Farm to produce alcohol which is then converted into hand sanitiser.

"While it might only be small help, we hope it allows people stay as hygienic as possible during this challenging time.

"We've also donated several tonnes of potatoes to local food banks and we'll continue to do all we can to support those most in need."

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Whax Candles, based at Whitestone Business Park, east of Hereford, has also manufactured its own hand sanitiser.

“It’s not about profit here, it’s about doing our bit in this crisis,” founders Doug Wrenn and Daniel Smith said.

They have turned their attention from candles to hand sanitiser and the pair said GP surgeries in Herefordshire have already ordered the new product, Sqeeky.

They added: “We and our partners don’t want this product sold at inflated prices, making it unavailable to the masses when we’re doing all we can to just get it out there and slow the spread of this pandemic with better hand hygiene.”

The actions of companies like Chase and Whax have been praised by West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Campion

He said Chase Distillery and Worcestershire-based Piston Gin offered to produce hand sanitiser so police could continue to carry out their roles among communities safely.

"At a time when protective equipment is key to our emergency services carrying out their vital roles, I reached out to local gin producers to see if they could help," Mr Campion said.

"This is just another great example of communities coming together to support others and doing the right thing at a time when it's so needed.

"During this pandemic, many companies have shown real innovation. I would like to thank the two producers for utilising the equipment and skills they have to support their local police force so generously, which ultimately protects all the communities they serve."