A Catford school’s DT department has started manufacturing personal protective equipment to help NHS workers in short supply amid the coronavirus crisis.

Led by Mr James Randall, St Dunstan's College has been introducing PPE production into the workshop using a laser cutter.

Already, they have produced face masks and visors to be distributed locally between University Lewisham Hospital, King’s College Hospital, Bethlem Royal Hospital and St Christopher’s.

Mr Randall said: ‘Community is at the heart of everything we do at St Dunstan’s. This week, we have been making PPE including face masks and visors for the NHS.

“We have been cutting them out on our laser cutter, and once they’re cut, they are then ready to be sent out to the local community.

“We know this is a very challenging time for many of our NHS, care and key workers, so we wanted to be able to help in this way, and hopefully the PPE will be able to support those in our community working on the front line.”

The College will also be donating teddy bears and colouring pencils to the hospitals for any children affected by Coronavirus.

The Royal College of Nursing warned yesterday that a lack of protective equipment for nurses is "fundamentally compromising" the care patients can receive.

Despite repeated assurances that more personal protective equipment (PPE) is on the way, the RCN said that the kit is not reaching the front line.

Global shortages of PPE have led to shortfalls on the NHS front line as medics try to care for the rising tide of patients with Covid-19.

Officials have said that millions of pieces of kit have been distributed and a hotline has been established to help frontline staff get PPE where it is needed most.

Nurses are still being forced to share equipment, buy their own or reuse kit, according to the RCN's chief executive and general secretary.