A CROSSFORD family have pulled out their 3D printers to make hundreds of ear guards to benefit frontline workers.

Kenny and Anne Marie Farrell, plus their three kids, have all been chipping in to produce the guards, which make masks a bit more comfortable on the ears.

They've provided NHS Fife with hundreds of ear guards but also individuals from far and wide who are looking for a bit of help.

Their neighbour, Graeme Robertson, has also been helping out the family with his 3D printer too.

Anne Marie told the Press: "We've had a couple of 3D printers for some time now but we've not really used them for the last couple of years.

"But, during lockdown, we saw what other people were doing and thought we'd get them back out of the cupboard!

"The guards just keep the elastic off the back of the ear and makes it much more comfortable.

"Obviously, a lot of our frontline workers are doing long shifts with masks that hurt their ears so this just helps them out that little bit.

"We first advertised what we were doing on our local community Facebook page and then went onto the COVID-19 Fife page and we've had so many orders!"

The Farrells are offering the ear guards free of charge but are accepting donations to help with delivery costs and print supplies.

They also plan to send any surplus donations to the Cash for Kids appeal.

So far, they've made 3,000 guards that have gone to the Victoria Hospital as well as carers working in the local community and further afield across the UK.

Anne continued: "Kenny works in IT so he's the technical one and I deal with the more creative side of things!

"I used to make all sorts of crafts with 3D printers but knowing we could do something with them, we thought we'd get them back running.

"The printer is going from first thing in the morning until we go to bed at night so probably a good 20 hours a day they're running!"

You can find out more at the 'ELF-COVID-Ear Guards for Masks' Facebook page.