A REVOLUTIONARY new green DIY product has been launched.

Normal white spirit contains toxic chemicals that, if poured down drains, can have major consequences for the environment.

But now, Bartoline in Beverley has launched Clean Spirit.

The bio-degradable, water- based paintbrush cleaner was three years in the making.

Managing director Simon Barton said: "This is a really exciting and revolutionary new product in the DIY market.

"Every year, hundreds of thousands of litres of toxic white spirit is poured down sinks and drains and gets into Britain's waterways.

"Either that, or institutions have to spend thousands of pounds safely disposing of the liquid.

"Clean Spirit is a safer alternative. It is a product with excellent cleaning power – but without the toxins, smell and flammability – and it can easily be disposed of after use by pouring down the sink."

The product contains surfactants which, when mixed with water, clean oil-based paints.

Mr Barton said: "We are accredited with environmental standards that are recognised in the industry.

"But we felt we were selling all this white spirit and creosote, which aren't very good for the environment.

"We wanted to create something that was eco-friendly."

Bartoline, which has been run by the Barton family for four generations, had to be rebuilt from scratch after fire destroyed the factories, warehouses and offices in 2003.

But Mr Barton and his team turned the tragedy on its head, and instead decided to see it as a one-off opportunity to build a modern and safe factory for the storage and packing of solvents.

Since the fire, annual turnover has increased from £8 million to £23 million and Bartoline, which employs 95 full-time staff, hopes orders for Clean Spirit from major retailers will create a record turnover again this year.

Mr Barton said: "Eight years ago, we thought it was the end of Bartoline.

"And it has been a challenge to regain our place in the market.

"But not only have we done that, even in a recession, we are now leading the way."

About 12 million litres of white spirit are used each year.

Since its launch at the end of last year, Bartoline's Clean Spirit has already attracted orders from all over the world and is available in supermarkets and high-street DIY stores.

Mr Barton said: "We've showed it at the Totally DIY conference in Birmingham and the National Painting and Decorating Exhibition in Coventry.

"It was very well-received at both events.

"Everyone is looking for green alternatives and we hope this is the first of many environmentally-friendly DIY products we can produce at our base in Beverley."