Dumbarton school staff are producing vital personal protective equipment to help keep frontline workers safe.

Teachers and technicians from Dumbarton Academy, Clydebank High School and St Peter the Apostle have been using laser-cutting machines usually used in design and technology classes to creating the shield-style visors using supplies of acrylic and acetate.

Donations of acrylic mean that across the authority almost 200 visors can be made, with many already having been distributed to local health workers.

The staff have also been using laser-cutting machines usually used in design and technology classes.

The schools are working with a number of other Scottish local authorities, who have collectively sent out more than 3,000 of the visors, based on a list of requests nationally.

Councillor Karen Conaghan, convener of educational services, said: “It’s fantastic that our schools are able to make such a useful contribution to fighting Covid-19.

“Our teachers are always a source of inspiration for pupils, and during this unprecedented situation, that has been no different.

“By taking on this additional challenge to create protective equipment for those who need it, they are teaching them a valuable lesson about what can be achieved when we work together. A big well done to everyone involved.”

Councillor Ian Dickson, vice convener of educational services, added: “This joint effort to increase the supply of vital equipment to our frontline health staff is a great example of how our community and the country has come together in these uncertain times.

“I would encourage anyone who has additional supplies of acrylic or acetate they can donate, allowing more visors to be created, to please get in touch.”

PPE stops people coming into contact with coronavirus lingering in the air and reduces the risk of passing it on.