A GROUP of strangers have dusted off their sewing machines and joined forces to help make protective clothing for the NHS.

The Kelvedon - For the Love of Scrubs team are busy making gowns for staff working on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis at Broomfield Hospital amid concerns about a shortage.

They are using a mix of materials - including duvet covers - and using sewing machines to create makeshift scrubs.

Joanna Pinder, who lives in Kelvedon and set up the group, said: "I used to make clothes when I was younger so thought I might be able to make a few scrubs which are so desperately needed at the moment.

"My sewing machine has been up in the loft for a few years now so I had to dust it off a bit.

"I put an appeal out on Facebook asking if anyone could donate fabric and I had so many responses, it was unbelievable.

"My husband has joked that we need a shipping container just to store all of it. Everyday I find people have left donated fabric on my doorstep.

"It's a great reminder of what a lovely community we have in the village and how generous people can be."

With so many donations of fabric being made to Joanna, she put out another appeal for volunteers to help and 11 people have so far answered the call.

Despite some members of the group living as far away as Braintree and Colchester, they are using Facebook to keep in touch and collect donations of fabric.

They have made around 90 scrubs between them, with some also being donated to Farleigh and St Helena hospices.

And with fabric continuing to be passed onto the group, Joanna admits they are unlikely to be stop sewing anytime soon.

Joanna added: "My initial target was to make about five sets of scrubs but at this rate, we're going to be making more than 100.

"There has been a lot interest from the NHS and we have even been asked to make isolation gowns.

"It's a case of making the scrubs when we can. I have to fit it in around work and can sometimes being doing it up to 11pm on some days.

"We've still got so much fabric left that we will keep on making the scrubs for as long as they are needed."

The team is on the lookout for more donations and volunteers to help sew the scrubs.

Anyone interested should search Kelvedon - For the Love of Scrubs on Facebook.