A Frome-based community of volunteers making free fabric face masks for key workers is appealing for more savvy sewers to join their ranks to help meet demand.

Mask Force was set up just two weeks ago by a core group of volunteers with the aim of helping to slow the spread of coronavirus.

A team of around 30 - and rapidly growing - sewing enthusiasts have already made more than 500 face masks since the country was placed in virtual lockdown, with 1000-plus more masks in the pipeline.

Lexie Stoddart, of Mask Force, told Frome Nub News: "We all know that this is a very contagious virus and the best way to contain it is to stay at home, but this is not always possible.

"People need to visit the supermarket or pharmacy, carers need to enter the homes of the elderly and vulnerable who are self isolating, delivery drivers need to travel between numerous households every day.

"We believe that a homemade face mask of closely woven cotton fabric is better than nothing.

"In fact, according to Cambridge University a tea towel can be anything up to 72 percent better than nothing. That seems like good odds to us."

Mask Force was launched after Dr Rebecca Hall reported that there was a general shortage of essential personal protection equipment such as gowns, aprons and face masks.

Lexie sourced 110 masks from two Italian seamstresses in Bath. Most of these were distributed locally and some sent out to the volunteer team to use as a template for the homemade washable cotton fabric face masks.

The town's Hatt's Health and Movement Clinic - on lockdown - also stepped in and donated 300 disposable masks for medical workers who now have sufficient stocks.

The industrious Mask Force team has also provided face masks for two of the town's care homes, Critchill Court and Lifeline, and is offering them free of charge to other key workers.

A request for 100 masks has just been received from Dimensions Somerset Frome carers that work with adults with learning disabilites.

"NHS workers are now pretty much covered so we are now distributing masks to carers going into the homes of the elderly and vulnerable as well as to delivery drivers, supermarket workers, anyone who has to go to work and face the public," explained Lexie.

To meet this increasing demand, not only are more sewers needed to join Mask Force's ranks, but additional fabric or funds are required.

A Facebook fundraising page set up on Thursday (2 April) has already reached £400 of its £500 target.

"We are flabbergasted at the response - thank you to everyone for their support.

"We have now run out of ribbon supplies and are also running low on fabric.

"If you have physical supplies that you are happy to donate then please message us.

"If you like what we are doing and would like to help then please send us a few quid to cover materials.

"We are helping communities to come together and feel like they are making a worthwhile contribution in this fight," added Lexie.

Mask Force is also helping others around the country to set up their own local groups with a vision of the initiative spreading nationwide.

Splinter groups are already being established in Devon, Herefordshire and Scotland.

Anyone interested in setting up a Mask Force community can contact Kate Holland on [email protected] for a starter pack.

Any organisations or groups that would like masks, or anyone wanting more information and advice on how to make masks should visit the Mask Force Facebook page their social page.