A BRADFORD chemical manufacturer is helping a local football club to show Covid-19 the red card with its innovative new paint.

The ‘next-generation’ paint, created by Thornbury-based Chem X Ltd, is an anti-viral, self-sanitising paint which can help eliminate bacteria and viruses.

Developed by scientists at Chem X, the specially formulated SteriCoat is proven to eliminate viruses and bacteria from surfaces, which helps to make surfaces safe.

The paint has made a splash at a local football club, with newly-promoted League Two side Harrogate Town investing in the technology to improve safety at its stadium.

Volunteers have been hard at work with paintbrushes and rollers giving the ground’s changing rooms, medical rooms, offices and other public areas a fresh lick of paint to make them as Covid-19 safe as possible.

Among the volunteers was Jim Hague, the club’s record appearance holder and goalscorer who made his first appearance for the Sulphurites aged just 14, and is now battling dementia.

He was joined by Geoff Butler, who has volunteered at the club for the past 60 years, former player from the 1960’s John Fall, Ed Hess and Chris Clewes.

Marseleen Zeb, managing director at Chem X, said: “SteriCoat aims to be the first line of defence for internal surfaces.

“It offers long-term protection, reduces the risk of cross-contamination, and ultimately helps create self-sanitizing spaces.

“Science is playing an integral role to help the world recover from Covid-19, and I’m proud of our team behind this innovation.

“Alongside hand washing, social distancing and following government guidelines, this new paint technology helps provide a further circuit break in the spread of infections.”

Garry Plant, managing director of Harrogate Town, added: “This is just one of the strategies we have in place to help keep players, coaches and fans as safe as possible - not only to protect against Coronavirus but other winter bugs too.

“It’s a chance for volunteers to help support the club in doing everything we can to reduce risks.”

SteriCoat is available in any colour and is non-toxic and doesn’t require alcohol-based cleaners, making it more eco-friendly.

It can ge used like normal paint on any internal surface, and has been rigorously tested and is already being used in GP practices, educational settings and other by businesses.

Mr Zeb added: “Scientific innovations like SteriCoat can help kickstart the UK’s economic recovery. It is the future of hygiene.”