MANAGERS at Bournemouth’s Castlepoint shopping park are hoping to reduce visitor accidents with a new Audio Alert product designed by a local company.

Two Audio Alerts have been introduced at escalators to give spoken warnings to customers – either asking them to hold on to the handrails or reminding them the surfaces may be wet.

Castlepoint welcomes over 11 million visitors a year and is committed to reducing the number of accidents that take place on the 41 acre site.

There were 56 reported in 2013, half the number reported during 2012. The Audio Alert is created by Bournemouth-based Lasermet Limited.

Peter Matthews, general manager at Castlepoint, said: “We needed something to act as a reminder to use the escalators with care.

“We will continue to research and invest in technology that can realistically minimise accidents.”