A KIND hobbyist is asking people with 3D printers to make clips for surgical masks.

John Marshall, 72, runs both 3D printers in his Edgworth home for 15 hours a day to make as many clips as he can.

The retired private hire driver starts the process at 9am, taking his last clips of the day off the printer at midnight.

Mr Marshall, who formerly worked for Star401 in Westhoughton, said: “It’s a lad in Canada who originally designed them, and he’s put the design online for people to download for free.

“I’ve got two printers so I’m making about 13 clips each time and it takes about two and a half hours.

“So far I’ve made about 250, I’ve got about 120 ready to go onto the hospital – I’m making them for Royal Bolton ICU, A&E, and Maternity.

I’ve had a girl who works at Blackburn Hospital contact me and I’ve given her a few, but if more people hear about this I will not be able to cope with the demand.”

The clips are designed to keep the elastic from face masks from rubbing on the back of people’s ears.

They’re placed at the back of the head, and have hooks on either side to hold the mask in place more comfortably.

Mr Marshall added: “I took some round to our local pharmacy and as soon as I went in the lady was very pleased.

“She said ‘Oh great, my ears are killing me’ so I know they make a big difference for people.

“I’ve had some donations from people in the village, so the materials aren’t a problem at the moment, although it is a bit more difficult to get hold of now everyone’s printing things.

“On my own it’s just continual printing, I can make about 75 a day if I work straight through from 9am to midnight.

“If someone comes up to me and asks for a few thousand then I’ve got no hope.”

So far, Mr Marshall has sent clips to hospitals in Bolton, Blackburn, and Preston, and police officers in Preston too.

As he sends more clips out to those who need them, he fears that he may struggle to meet the demand.

To ensure that everyone can access the clips, he is urging anyone with a 3D printer to download the design and join his making mission.

He said: “The design is called Surgical Mask Clips Remix and it’s available on a 3D printing site called thingiverse.com.

“My daughter drops them off at the hospital for me, she’s got a little one at home so she’s happy to come and help me out and get out of the house.”

Surgical Mask Clips Remix is a modification of a previously posted design for the same product.

This design has a space in the centre of the clip so that the items take less time to produce, and use fewer materials.

As the clips are not essential pieces of personal protective equipment, they will not be widely distributed to frontline workers.

The plastic device increases the wearer’s comfort levels by preventing discomfort.