Cumbrian manufacturers are being asked to take part in a programme to produce 5000 ventilators for use in the fight against coronavirus.

Innovate UK, the national innovation body, is working with Formula One and a collective of UK-based teams, engine manufacturers and their technology arms as part of an initiative called Project Pitlane.

It aims to deliver 5000 ventilator units by April 10, as part of the national effort to develop, manufacture and deploy medical respiratory devices.

Jo Lappin, chair of the Local Resilience Forum’s Business and Economic Response and Recovery Group and chief executive of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “There’s an opportunity for businesses in Cumbria and the wider North West to play a role in this vital national effort.

“Project Pitlane is looking to deliver 5000 units by April 10 and then scaling up to produce 5000 each week.

“It is looking for firms, which could be part of the national supply chain to deliver this level of scale up.

"There is a particular opportunity for injection moulding companies, and tooling for injection moulding. Units of approximately 300mm by 300mm are needed so relatively small in size.

“Project Pitlane will conduct its own procurement exercise and so this is a chance to make sure that local firms can be considered by the procurement manager.

“There is no guarantee that the firms will gain business just by being on the long list but I’m sure that all approaches will be gratefully received.”

Businesses that are able to contribute are being invited to contact Rick Holland, regional manager for North West England for Innovate UK by emailing Rick.Holland@innovateuk.ukri.org