A Grantham manufacturer has stepped into the fight against coronavirus by designing and manufacturing an effective new-concept protective face mask for personal use.

Angel Med is producing a re-usable, face-contoured mask (pictured) using a woven spacer fabric that inhibits virus transmission through its inbuilt filtration system.

Backed by Harley Street consultant Ian Bayley, the masks can be washed and dried within minutes for re-use, and scientific testing has confirmed that their barrier protection properties are significantly better than the FFP2 face masks worn by NHS staff.

The company has put the Government's COVID-19 small business grant to good use, funding the masks' research and development and investing in new manufacturing machinery.

Angel Med Managing Director Barbara Thompson said: "Face masks are fast becoming the new reality and latest Government advice is to wear a face covering where social distancing is not possible.

"Our masks uniquely incorporate ten millimetres of woven filament fabric and they are structured to prevent the inner surface from coming into contact with the nostrils and mouth. That provides a greater barrier which may help to reduce the risk of high viral transmission into the respiratory tract.

"The masks are one size, available in various colours, and make a seal around the lower face. They are also lightweight, pleasantly breathable, can be comfortably worn for some time and don't make your glasses steam up!

"We can see them being worn a lot as you never know when you will meet someone who is contagious, and they also provide a real confidence boost.

"People are being ripped off by scams and inferior products but Angel Med is a company whose 4DflexiSPORT® brand is trusted across the UK and Europe. People can buy from us with confidence.

"We are not claiming that our masks give 100 per cent protection and they are not intended for frontline health workers. We are, however, delighted to get a scientific evaluation on how much they can help."

Masks are available through the website - www.4dflexisport.com - and are all washed before sanitised packing.

Mr Bayley, who has worked with Angel Med for six years developing its range of sports and medical supports, said; "I think this new design is a welcome breakthrough, a real game-changer and a typical bit of British ingenuity.

"I believe that this new respiratory face covering is the best of all the devices currently out there for public use. This virus is likely to survive at varying levels within populations for some time and we need to find ways to limit transmission.

"From what we have seen, the level of infection that gets into the nostrils dictates the severity of the illness. If we can limit that with these new masks and help to stop a full viral bombardment, we will be less at risk.

"Normal paper masks as used in hospitals get wet and become useless. They are single use and have to be replaced every 20 minutes, as I am seeing in my hospital work."