UK shipping group James Fisher is ready to help the fight against coronavirus by producing ventilators for hospitals.

The tanker owner said it can make 2,000 of the systems per week.

This will be handled by its Scottish JFD unit, which is responding to the government's Rapidly Manufactured Ventilator System call to businesses.

It has developed the InVicto ventilator, which is more advanced than continuous positive airway pressure systems, it said.

Eoghan O’Lionaird, chief executive of James Fisher, said: "Our extensive experience in breathing-gas reclaim systems for the offshore diving industry gives us a unique perspective into how best to deliver oxygen to patients safely, effectively and efficiently."

InVicto has undergone extensive testing in JFD's breathing laboratories.

It can also be used in care homes and provides full ventilation support, with patient monitoring, breathing gas and O2 management and alarms.

Giovanni Corbetta, managing director of JFD, added: "Since the global outbreak of Covid-19, JFD has been working around the clock, utilising all our experience in developing breathing apparatus and life-support equipment to design the best possible solution for patients, doctors and healthcare authorities around the world.

"As well as basing our design on a proven medical ventilator device, a key part of this project has been to take into account the likely pressures on O2 supply."

The system uses 90% less O2 than other ventilators.