A BRIERLEY Hill window cleaner is making vital face masks for NHS staff from his garden shed.

Darren Hancox is spending every day of lockdown creating the much-needed equipment using 3D printers in his shed in a bid to protect frontline NHS staff.

He has been inundated by requests from hospitals, local GPs and district nurses for kit and has so far donated hundreds of masks since the lockdown began last month.

The talented craftsman, who started using a 3D printer as a hobby four years ago, currently makes 25 masks a day from his machines and he works 12 hours a day to get the job done.

Darren, who is currently self-isolating with his family, said: "I started a couple of weeks ago as soon as I realised people needed them. 3D printing started as a hobby, I've been interested in making bits for drones.

"Once I start the process off I can leave it and go and check every half hour or so."

A Go Fund Me page has been set up so people can donate to help fund the materials Darren needs to make the vital protection as he needs supplies of plastic to keep production running.

He says he will continue making them as long as they are needed and added that we will get through this period if we all pull together.

He said: "We're all in the same boat."

Darren's sister Nikki Hancox-Parkes, who has been assisting with fundraising, said she was "very proud" of her brother and had nothing but praise for the NHS.

She said: "The NHS are absolutely fantastic, you can't fault them."