An inventor behind a new product to prevent drinks being spiked is angry that supermarkets refuse to stock the product.

Ray Lockett, 61, started making the small plastic device after his daughter Marilyn Henshaw fell victim to a drink spiking during her 21st birthday and only escaped attack because of help from friends.

The businessman, from Henfield, is making 2.5 million Spikey stoppers a week and hoped they would be in high street stores before Christmas.

Sainsbury's and Tesco and other major stores have delayed a decision over whether to stock them.

A campaign has been launched by Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police to warn clubbers and drinkers to be vigilant during the Christmas celebrations.

Sussex Police confirmed three confirmed cases of women being drugged without their knowledge but said such crimes were under-reported.

Spiked campaigners have spent 18 months visiting pubs and clubs to tell revellers about the dangers.

But there was disappointment that women would not be able to buy the Spikey from supermarkets to use while enjoying the festive season.

Mr Lockett said: "There is a huge amount of demand for this product. But there have been problems with distribution.

"Sainbury's has said it won't stock them. It said it's not the sort of product its customers would want to buy.

"Tesco originally said drink spiking was not its problem, but we argued it sells condoms and that side of things is not its problem either. We are now in negotiations.

"We have been talking with cash and carry firms so this can get out to pubs but they're 'umming and ahing' about it.

"We're very frustrated because we've got the products here and we can get them to people straight away.

"This is about people's safety - we've been giving them away to people who contact us but now we have to start selling them."

High street chemist Boots has agreed to stock the Spikey.

Mr Lockett has been inundated by requests from around the world.

Pub-goers can use the small plastic plugs to make sure strangers do not slip drugs like Rohypnol or Benzodiazepines, which can cause drowsiness and memory loss, into unattended drinks.

Such drugs have been used in date rapes and also to sexually assault strangers at nightspots.

Sue Heard from Sussex Police said: "This crime makes women feel extremely violated. What can be as upsetting for women is they cannot remember what has happened to them.

Railton Scott, a drugs expert at the Brighton and Sussex University Hospital, has been training club staff about the dangers of spiking.

He confirmed some drugs were available on the street relatively cheaply but could prove fatal when given to someone without their knowledge.