NURSES have helped a south Cumbrian shoe manufacturer to put a new product through its paces.

Newly-formed Softwalker Ltd, based at the former K Shoes factory at Askam-in-Furness, teamed up with nurses at Furness General Hospital to design and develop a comfort shoe capable of being worn all-day under the toughest conditions.

Following months of test trials, the shoe, named Softbeat, is now on sale and is aimed at nurses and other ladies who spend all day on their feet at work. The company says the shoe is the first of its kind and bosses have paid tribute to nurses who played a major role in its development.

Softwalker is headed and staffed by former K Shoes workers in conjunction with specialist foam company Urofoam. The firm, which has spent two years developing manufacturing techniques and product ranges, uses materials designed to give high levels of shock-absorbing springiness' to shoes and sandals.

Softwalker employs some 50 staff and numbers are expected to grow by 20 over the next 18 months.