Businessman Terry Utting is giving away free hand sanitiser to customers of his new cannabis CBD health and wellness shop in Sittingbourne High Street.

He will also be handing out sanitiser to customers aged over 50 at all of his 14 vape stores across Kent and with online orders.

He said: "It has taken me two weeks to track down fresh supplies to China. It will be in all stores on Friday."

Terry added: "We intend to keep our TJS e-cigarette shops open until we get told otherwise. But if we have to close, we will offer a free door-to-door delivery service."

Meanwhile, a new Facebook page has been launched called Help The Vulnerable - Donate And Swap Swale to ensure no one goes without essentials.

Administrator Danielle Corley said: "This group was created to make sure we support each other as a community during this difficult time.

"Whether people are isolating and need support or whether they are unable to afford or get the things they need, we are here to help."

Readers can post items they need or details of what they can donate.

She added: "Sometimes it takes a disaster to bring a community together. Together we can get through this."

In other attempts to beat the coronavirus scare Iceland's Sittingbourne store is now open 8am to 10am on Wednesdays for the elderly and vulnerable to do their shopping.

Teynham parish council is also preparing a list of volunteers to check on the village's vulnerable.

And as Sittingbourne Age UK considers closing its centre to elderly clients in the Avenue of Remembrance its chief executive officer Liz Thorne said: “Hopefully, the centre will become a focal point for the community to seek information and support.

"We will be accepting donations of non-perishable items, household products and toiletries which we will distribute to older people.

“We will also provide a telephone welfare call service for people needing to social distance or self-isolate.”

The charity also supplies meals to people’s homes and has appealed for more volunteers to come forward to help.

She said: “We are expecting an increased demand for our meal delivery and independent living services."

Volunteers could end up making welfare telephone checks, delivering meals or shopping. They should drop into the centre or email reception@ageuksittingbourne.org.uk

Read more: Sittingbourne stories here.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.