Despite developing a revolutionary fabric which could save hundreds of lives and prevent thousands of infections in hospitals, a Bradford company has found it difficult to interest hospital bosses - until now.

Acordis, based in Saint Street, Great Horton, has produced a world-beating fibre for nurses' uniforms which is claimed to be totally resistant to the killer superbug MRSA.

Now the Telegraph & Argus has helped the company to persuade Bradford hospitals to conduct a trial of the material.

A spokesman for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We would be pleased to explore possible ways in which we may be able to test this material in a busy hospital environment."

On being told of the trust's interest, Acordis spokesman Caroline Powell said: "That's excellent news!"

Last year there were more than 7,000 MRSA infections in British hospitals.

The fibre, Amicor Pure, was developed by Acordis in Bradford and is converted into fabric at the company's Grimsby plant. It is then woven into fabric by a Leicester-based firm. It has been subject to rigorous scientific tests at Nottinghamshire Trent University.

The fibre is made from acrylic fabric which has been impregnated with powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal ingredients. This is then woven into fabric used for hospital uniforms.

Acordis's technical marketing manager, Roland Cox said the company had spent months trying to persuade NHS trusts to put the fabric on trial.

He said: "This fabric actually prevents bacteria and fungi from growing on the uniform, making it much more hygenic than normal fabrics. We're reducing the risk of MRSA spreading."

He said the fabric had been designed to remain resistant to MRSA and other germs for up to 200 washes - effectively the lifetime of the garment.

Acordis, which employs 35 people in Bradford and 350 at its Grimsby plant, discovered the fibre seven years ago but did not instantly recognise its full potential.

The latest figures show that Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust had 44 cases of the MRSA superbug. There were 20 cases at Airedale Hospital and 37 in Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust.

e-mail: tim.wyatt

@bradford.newsquest.co.uk