FOLLOWING a rise in people she knows getting spiked on nights out, a Romsey teenager has created a product out of her own pocket to help combat the problem.

Meredith Collier, 18, is selling anti-spike drink covers on Etsy to help people protect themselves when out drinking at an affordable price.

The teen who works in an office for a bricklaying company took it upon herself to design and commission her own product called “Sproof”, which is available for £2.50.

Meredith, from Toot Hill, said: “The problem isn’t going away. People my age and in my close circle all know at least one or two people who have been spiked. After one of close friends was targeted at our regular spot in town I wanted to see if there was something I could do.

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“There are other covers available but they cost like £7 and no one I know can afford that. I had the idea in November, got in contact with a manufacturing company, had the first samples in December and have been selling since mid-January.”

The black silicon covers, with the Sproof branding and tagline "less fear more fun", fit over the standard cups used in a night club. If the business takes off Meredith hopes to invest in more sizes, a collapsible straw and different colours.

She added: “They’re most definitely a deterrent. If someone with an agenda to spike saw that cover they probably wouldn’t target them. It's not completely spike proof but they most definitely make people less vulnerable and it's harder for someone to slip something in.

“I was worried about investing in it as I don’t have bucket loads of money but most people buy multiple and I’ve had international sales too which I was surprised by. The other day someone ordered 10 from Canada.”

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The name Sproof is a merger of the words spike and proof as suggested by Meredith’s mum Lexie Wellman.

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The proud mum said: “Meredith refused my help with costs as she was keen to prove she could do this independently. She’s a very pragmatic young lady and I’m incredibly proud of her for being sufficiently concerned about this really frightening problem that she’s taken steps to try and help protect others.

“I’m hoping she can encourage bars and clubs to provide them. Perhaps some of the independent shops in Romsey and surrounding areas might consider selling them too - it could really take off. It’s great to have a little business entrepreneur in the family. Alan Sugar’s next apprentice might well be a Romsey girl.”

Sproof covers are available for £2.50 from Etsy at etsy.com/uk/listing/1396485981/anti-spike-drink-cover-sproof?fbclid=IwAR2m5E3DXQO9dN9i6fHIpPB4rLsE4ZbBb_F8DI0r3rO4AXvnra7D2_nATKo.