Teachers at Llanidloes High School have been making protective visors for Mid Wales' key workers who are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

After a local GP approached the school for help, assistant headteacher Richard Williams and head of design technology Steven Thomas worked together to find a solution using the school's 3D printers. They have since produced 40 visors and donated their first batch to the Arwystli Medical Practice, which serves the Llanidloes and Caersws areas.

Daniel Owen, headteacher, said: "We know we have the machinery and manpower to create visors that afford a level of protection for our wonderful frontline health workers until the PPE sector catches up.

"Who knows, their creativity, time and compassion might help save lives until the dark COVID-19 cloud passes."

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Richard Williams said the response from the public has been "quite overwhelming", with more than 100 requests for protective visors.

"We've both been humbled by it," he said. "However, it has also highlighted the need.

"We have also received requests to supply visors to our hospital, district nurses, midwives and pharmacy while they wait for official supplies to arrive. Requests have also come in from other health care providers from much further afield.

"We’ve tweaked the design which has significantly reduced print time. We are now producing two an hour, 40 produced so far. Our Friends of the School group have also been instrumental in raising funds which enabled us to purchase an additional printer."

Llanidloes Primary School will also use their 3D printer to help make visors for local health care workers.

Richard, who is a member of the town's coronavirus support group, said several teachers are volunteering by answering the phone lines and collecting shopping and prescriptions for vulnerable and self-isolating residents in Llanidloes.

"Our community is so supportive of our fantastic school and this is our way of giving back to our frontline workers and community," he said.

Llanidloes High School is calling on local 3D printer owners to come forward to help. Frontline workers or organisations in need of visors can contact the school by emailing office@llanidloes-hs.powys.sch.uk.