Design and technology staff at Millfield School, in Street, have used the school's laser cutters to create personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS and council workers tackling coronavirus on the front line.

Millfield's head of design and technology, Justin Dodd, has created prototypes, sought materials and began editing a CAD file that he found online before starting production in early April.

A team of Millfield staff, students and volunteers, including Millfield headmaster Gavin Horgan, have produced and assembled 130 masks so far for organisations including local GP surgeries and South Somerset District Council.

Millfield School is working with local councils and the Salvation Army to become a delivery hub, as well as developing several systems for the management and delivery of prescriptions, setting up community support links and donating and distributing more than £2,500 worth of food.

More than 100 volunteers from the Millfield community have signed up for the initiative, which includes students, staff, parents and former pupils of the school.

Mr Horgan said: "The spirit of the local community here in Street has been overwhelming, and here at Millfield, we are proud to play a small part in supporting our friends and neighbours in such vital organisations during this time.

"My thanks to Justin and his team for mobilising so quickly to create a prototype and to the volunteers who are helping to assemble these masks for key workers so rapidly."