New type of glass to prevent bird crashes

London, Aug 12 (IANS) A new type of glass inspired by spider web will prevent hundreds of thousands of birds crashing into car windows and dying every year.

The high-tech product has a web of lines coated on the glass surface. Although they are not visible to humans, they reflect ultraviolet light, which birds can spot, the Daily Mail reports.

Every year an estimated 250 million birds in Europe die by flying into glazing in homes and office blocks.

Created by specialist German firm Arnold Glas, the glass is based on the web of the common orb weaver spider, whose silk also contains ultraviolet reflective strands, the Mail said.

The glass, which is 50 percent dearer than normal glass, has now been installed in the lookout tower and visitors' centre on Holy Island at Lindisfarne, Northumberland, Britain.

The company is also aiming to set up a manufacturing centre in Britain once the economic situation in Europe picks up.

Company spokeswoman Natalie Kopp said: "We hope more developers and architects start looking at ways to be more bird-friendly with their designs."