A GIN distillery in Herefordshire has switched production to make hand sanitisers during the coronavirus outbreak.

Lloyd Reed, of artisan gin-makers, Black Mountain Botanicals, said the decision had been made after they discovered their local GP surgery was running low on the essential product.

"We found out that our local surgery has struggled to stop the theft of hand sanitiser and has run seriously low on stock, and we have had an astounding response from our social media posts for those who need and cannot get sanitiser" Lloyd said.

The team sprung into action, donating £500 of their own money alongside their time and resources to start production of hand sanitisers made to comply with World Health Organisation guidelines on March 30.

The sanitisers will be given away, free of charge, to key workers, NHS staff and surgeries, schools and elderly or vulnerable people.

To help fund their efforts, they have launched a crowdfunding page (click here to donate), in the hope of being able to continue production for as long as is needed.

"Donations of £100 will allow us to provide over 100 100ml bottles of WHO approved hand sanitiser," Lloyd said.

"This is strictly non-profit and any left-over funds will be donated to a local community group, to be decided by you.

"Please message us at info@blackmountainsbotanicals.co.uk if you know of someone local to HR2 and surrounding areas. If you can, please donate, even a little will help our community."