Apprentice star Alan Sugar has been criticised for a Twitter post on how to make your own facemasks while  in isolation.

The 73-year-old business man, who has 5.3 million followers, defended his tweet as many frontline NHS staff are facing a shortage of PPE (personal protective equipment). 

One user responded: "Have you tested this? So if someone used this thinking that it will protect them for this or any other virus , it would protect them?"

Lord Sugar replied: "No I have not tested it as I don't know any one with the virus and I cant guarantee it will stop people getting it either. I was just an idea....... calm down chappie."

Another user said: "They'd be as effective today as an Amstrad phone." Whilst another said: "Did you actually look into this before you decided to promote such nonsense?"