PENS which kill MRSA and swine flu are set to become the latest weapon in the fight against superbugs.

Antibac pens include an agent which destroys 99.9 per cent of harmful bacteria and viruses on contact. And the innovative product is now available in North Staffordshire.

Keith Walker, owner of Recognition Express North Staffordshire, hopes to supply them to hospitals, schools, offices and care homes.

He said: "Pens are one of the main carriers of germs as they are always being passed among customers and colleagues. This antibac pen has only just come onto the market and it is a fantastic idea to be able to have a pen that kills bacteria rather than passing them on."

Mr Walker's company, on Fenton Trade Park, specialises in supplying branded products and clothing. The antibac pens can be branded with a company's logo.

Mr Walker said: "It looks the same as a normal pen in shape and style and it writes like a normal pen. But it is a certified superbug killer. It is effective against MRSA, salmonella, norovirus and C Difficile."

Mr Walker is not yet supplying the pens to customers.

He said: "It is a new product and we are just in the process of publicising it. It would be suitable for hospitals, surgeries, nursing homes and any organisation that wants to reduce the impact of these viruses.

"It would be naive to say the pens would eradicate viruses but it is another weapon in the armoury to help reduce the spread of these nasty bugs."

He said as far as he knows Recognition Express is the only Staffordshire company supplying the antibac pens.

The pens cost between 50p and 60p each, depending on the quantity ordered.

Mr Walker said: "You wouldn't really buy them individually. One of the strengths is the pen being used where there are a lot of people."

Latest figures for the University Hospital of North Staffordshire show there were 276 cases of C Diff in the year to the end of March compared to a maximum Government target of 348. The hospital has set itself a target to wipe out the infection by 2014.

The incidence of MRSA at the complex was 26, well below its target of 44 for the 12 months.

Ian Syme, co-ordinator of campaign group North Staffordshire Healthwatch, said: "It seems an exceptionally good idea. It makes people aware that pathogens are passed on in different ways."

The pen is made by Senator, the UK's largest manufacturer of office furniture, and is the only anti-bacterial pen approved to British standards.