A FIRM which supplies hand sanitising products across the world has said it has been left inundated with calls over coronavirus concerns and has enlisted extra staff to keep up with demand.

Aspect CPM, which is based in Bedale in North Yorkshire, said as much as 40,000 units of hand sanitiser and related products had been distributed in the past month.

So far in the UK, there have been 85 cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) confirmed by the government as cases across Europe - mainly Italy - continue to rise.

Speaking to The Northern Echo this afternoon, Managing Director of Aspect CPM, Craig Elsworth said: "We've seen an increase in interest in the last week in hand sanitisers and related products.

The Northern Echo: The firm is based in Bedale, North YorkshireThe firm is based in Bedale, North Yorkshire

"As we sell a range of products we can sometimes go two or three months without an order for hand sanitisers, but lately around 85 percent of our business is hand sanitiser-related."

Taking a decision to temporarily restrict who the firm is supplying hand sanitising products with, Mr Elsworth said it was now prioritising companies that had a "genuine" need for them.

He said: "We are having on supplying to people who have a genuine need, including those in health care and the emergency services.

"We're avoiding supplying to people who are selling hand sanitisers on for extortionate amounts using the likes of eBay."

Mr Elsworth said that since last week, employees who normally work on a 'casual' basis were being asked to come in and help the firm keep up with sheer level of demand.

He said: "We have had orders from companies asking us to ship items from Bedale across the world - we've had customers in the US, in Chicago - asking for the products."

Remaining undeterred that the firm would run out of stock completely, Mr Elsworth said it had 'ring-fenced' stock to ensure those with a previously described 'genuine need' could access supplies.

Mr Elsworth's comments came as England's Chief Medical Officer has today said the UK is likely to see an epidemic of Covid-19. 

Professor Chris Whitty, who is responsible for informing the public on the latest number of Covid-19 cases, said: "At this point in time we think it is likely, not definite, that we will move into onward transmission and an epidemic here in the UK."