Vaccinations are not the only breakthrough in the fight against coronavirus with a new product developed by a Gloucestershire company entering clinical trials.

The Sanitiser Sentinel issues reminders via voice and light alerts to use nearby hand sanitisers.

And it has secured clinical trials at NHS and private medical practices across the UK, as well as is the USA, Canada, the Netherlands and South Africa with a first year sales target of 35,000 units.

The Chosen Hill company has been founded by inventor Vivian Blick and designer Neil Norris.

Mr Blick said: "In years of global product inventions, manufacturing and production, I don't think I have worked on a project that has the potential to save so many lives.

"We are excited to be launching the world's first visual and spoken hand sanitisation reminder, that not only saves lives but also helps to limit the spread of harmful diseases."

He continued: "It is often easy for people to forget to sanitise their hands, especially when there is no one manning these stations, so this removes the potential for human error.

"The interest and take up that we have already had from both clinical and private organisations alongside global distribution companies shows just how valued this product already is."

The Sentinel is a standalone unit which can easily be attached close to a hand sanitiser or soap dispenser with an infra-red sensor that detects when a person comes within range.

When the sensor is set off, a light will flash and the Sentinel will play a recorded and selectable message that will remind the passer-by to wash or sanitise their hands.

The Sentinel has 26 selectable messages and sounds in a number of different languages, with toggles to turn the sound and lights on and off and an option to add your own bespoke or corporate message via a micro SD card.