Ashby School staff have been making face masks and visors for medical workers in response to the Coronavirus outbreak - and have issued an appeal for extra materials to meet orders that could exceed 1,200.

So far, staff from the School's design faculty have made equipment for surgeries and/ or pharmacies in Ashby, Swadlincote, Burton, Earl Shilton and Newhall, along with the Queen's Medical in Nottingham.

Work began when Ed Cooper, head of design, saw a post on Facebook from others in the design technology community who had been making Personal Protective Equipment to support the fight against coronavirus.

Ed said: "In the design faculty at Ashby School, we have the technology, expertise and many of the materials needed to make PPE, so it seemed only right that we use them to do what we can in the fight against coronavirus."

The school has had initial orders for 1,200 - but expect this may rise.

It has been using materials already to hand which had been intended for design projects. but additional materials have also been purchased.

Plastic protective eyewear from the design faculty has also been sent to medical staff in Suffolk, who are working on the frontline to tackle Covid 19.

Several staff members have been involved in the making of PPE, including teachers of engineering, graphics and textiles, along with admin support staff and staff from our IT department.

But, to help them continue with the effort, staff are looking for help with supplies of the following:

• Polyporolane

• Elastic

• Acetate clear

• PETG ( ideally surgical)

• Bias Binding

• Calico

• Interfacing

If anyone can help, contact the school at: [email protected] - marking your e-mail: 'Face mask supplies'.

Swadlincote Surgery are the latest to say thanks after posting on their Facebook page: "A massive 'thank-you' to our friends at Ashby School and Granville Academy in Woodville who have made and donated Protective Faceshields for our staff to wear when assessing patients during the coronavirus pandemic.

"As a surgery we are fortunate to be supported in so many ways by our local community at this challenging time and are grateful to you all."