A PENSIONER in Bewdley has spent the last four weeks in self-isolation sewing protecting masks for her neighbours.

Jennie Abbotts, who lives in Severn Bank Park, has hand-made more than 40 patterned face masks out of old bed sheets for people in the community with underlying health conditions during the coronavirus outbreak.

The 70-year-old told The Shuttle: "I started making the masks for me and my husband for when we go shopping. Because I've got COPD and a heart condition, it means I'm at risk.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

"I asked my neighbour if she wanted one because her husband has got health conditions too and it's escalated from there.

"A lot of people in our neighbourhood have got health conditions so I started making more.

"I had a donation of fabric from my good neighbour and elastic from other residents as my personal supplies were running low.

"Donations started coming in. My neighbour Pam Reynolds took over the admin side and delivering the masks as they became ready and people have been pushing envelopes with donations through the letter box.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

"I don't want to take all the credit, it has been a group effort.

"It's at times like this that folk chip in and give their time when its most needed."

The donations have now exceeded £100, which is set to be handed over to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust this weekend. One of Jennie's neighbours also made an online donation of £100 directly to the NHS.