A Swadlincote Police officer has used his connections with a former Army colleague to make bottles of hand sanitiser available to locations in South Derbyshire.

PC Stuart Kelly served with Cumbria-based Peter Walsh in the British Army,

They have stayed in touch and when Mr Walsh wanted to donate the sanitiser, he contacted PC Kelly.

As a result, Swadlincote Safer Neighbourhood Team were able to distribute supplies to local organisations last weekend - including Oakland Village Restaurant, Woodville Nursing Home and the P3 Hostel In Swadlincote.

On their Facebook page on Monday, Swadlincote SNR explained more.

They posted: "Swadlincote SNT have been out over the weekend handing out free individual hand sanitiser bottles to various locations.

"The sanitiser was kindly donated by Mr Peter Walsh who lives in Cumbria.

"Peter has donated similar to people in Cumbria and in Cheshire.

"The only connection that Peter has with Swadlincote is PC Stuart Kelly, who is currently part of the SNT, both served in the British Army for a number of years and have remained friends ever since.

"Peter has asked if we could pass on the hand sanitiser to those in need, and so we have got together with the Fire and Ambulance service in South Derbyshire and handed out the sanitiser in individual bottles for personal use.

"So far we have handed bottles out to Oaklands village, Woodville nursing home and the P3 Hostel.

"The Fire and Ambulance service have been handing out the sanitiser to similar locations and places where there is a need.

"On behalf of Swadlincote Police we would like to thank Peter Walsh for his kind generosity."