Airedale Hospital patients have helped develop two new shoes for people with foot problems.

Users of the hospital’s orthotic service were asked for their input into designing the footwear, with specialist manufacturer Peacocks Medical Group.

During a session at the hospital’s education centre in December, they gave their views on existing footwear and areas of improvement.

Now, two new styles have been produced – a light pink court shoe, with a lace fastening and stitching detail along the toe area and light grey sole, and for the men, a two-tone brogue made of black calf leather and grey suede, with an option of using other matching colours.

Elaine Coope, mobility services manager at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We would like to thank everyone involved with this, especially the patients who wear our products.

“The feedback was brilliant and it has been a really interesting initiative.”

Peacocks currently supplies bespoke orthotic footwear to the hospital custom-made for each individual’s needs, but the new range will be off-the-shelf, adaptable to suit prescriptions.

Extra wide and deep fittings will be available, and foot problems and deformities caused by diabetes, rheumatology conditions, other illnesses or accidents will be catered for.

The user group, known as the Airedale Footwear Forum, is seeking a suitable name for the new shoes. Suggestions can be tweeted to @ANHST #Peacocks.