A HOUSEBUILDER has donated all its spare protective equipment to the NHS.

Staff at Persimmon Homes' office in Witham gathered up all the face masks and gloves they could find and have donated it to staff at Broomfield Hospital.

The equipment is typically used on building sites but with face masks in high demand, Persimmon has handed over all spare equipment to show its support during the Covid-19 crisis.

Construction director Richard Hush said: "I am delighted that we have been able to step up and donate this much-needed equipment.

"Our NHS is doing a tremendous job in this fight against coronavirus.

"We all appreciate the work the doctors and nurses are doing to look after people in need and we’re pleased that we can help in this small way.

"They deserve to be as protected as possible."

Persimmon says to protect its employees from the virus, it will start an "orderly closedown" of building work and temporarily close its sales offices across the country.

The developer has also altered the terms of its charity grants scheme and says it will focus on handing donations to community groups supporting the over 70s.

Mr Hush added: “Persimmon Homes is determined to do whatever we can to help the country through the difficult weeks and months ahead.”