Distillers from one of the county's award-winning gin producers are exploring ways of making alcohol-based hand gel in the current crisis.

The Copper Rivet distillery at Chatham Maritime is looking to produce a sanitiser to alleviate the shortage in the wake of the escalating number of coronavirus cases.

Georgina de Terry, brand ambassador for the company, said: "I have spoken to our founders who have advised that we have some very clever guys at the distillery, and at present, all we can say is that we are liaising with the government.

"To correctly produce hand sanitiser is a very complex procedure and we are looking at possibilities."

Copper Rivet, based at the Pump House in Leviathan Way, also produces whisky and vodka.

Elsewhere in the country, other distilleries are applying for a licence to manufacture hygiene products using alcohol.

Several plan to donate profits to charity.

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