Design students at Ashby School can now access to their own industry-standard laser cutter, thanks to funding of £8,500 from pladis UK and Ireland.

Owning well-known brands including McVitie's, Jacob's, go ahead! Carr's and Flipz, pladis is one of the world's leading snacking companies.

Their Midlands Distribution Centre is located in Ashby, and pladis purchased the TS6090 100 watt laser cutter as an added boost to the school's design facilities.

The machine will enable Sixth Form design students to complete complex projects as part of their A level studies.

The funding from pladis marks the start of an ongoing partnership between the school and the company.

Ed Cooper, Head of Design at Ashby School, said: "We're extremely grateful to pladis for buying the laser cutter which will make an enormous difference to our design students.

"Industry-standard equipment like this will really help them to develop their skills and prepare many of them for design-related degree courses and careers.

"We're looking forward to working with pladis on other projects in the future."

Chris Dockree, Logistics Director, pladis UK and Ireland, said: "Supporting the communities that we operate in is so important to us.

"As a partnership formed due to the added pressures of Covid-19, we're delighted to continue working with Ashby School, along with Hireco and Mertrux, who also contributed to the equipment, and lending a helping hand in boosting their facilities to support students.

"We look forward to building our ongoing partnership and, supporting the teachers and students at Ashby School now and in the future."