A CROSS Hills company is supporting a primary school’s work to keep classrooms clean and safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Airedale Chemical has donated a batch of products – including hand sanitiser, gloves and masks – to Sutton-in-Craven Community Primary.

Large bottles of sanitiser will be used to refill hand cleaning stations around the school, while smaller individual containers can be carried by staff.

A donation of 100 disposable masks and 1,000 pairs of synthetic rubber gloves will be used when sanitising rooms and equipment between lessons.

Daniel Marr, commercial director at Airedale Chemical, said the firm was delighted to be able to help the school.

He added: “Schools are facing a truly unenviable task organising classrooms and routines to create a safe and socially-distanced place to learn and we wanted to do anything we could to help our local primary school make that tricky transition.

“We recently diversified into providing hand sanitiser so were over the moon to be able to provide something useful for the hardworking staff at Sutton-in-Craven Community Primary School – and we were happy to share personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks.

“We wanted to show our appreciation for the key workers in our community and this seemed like a great way to help.”

The support further cements a relationship between the company and the school which began several years ago and has included pupil visits to the factory, science book donations and school competitions.

Mrs Jill Fletcher, the school’s deputy headteacher, said: “A lot of time and effort has gone into making our school ready for pupils to begin a phased return to education, so we’re grateful for any support from the local community.

“This donation will make life a little easier and help us to provide peace of mind for pupils, parents and staff that we are doing all we can to maintain a clean space to work and learn.”

Airedale Chemical regularly carries out community work through its charitable arm, the Airedale Foundation. It recently donated 3,000 units of hand sanitiser to Airedale Hospital and has also installed three defibrillators in the Cross Hills and Farnhill areas.

The third-generation family business has been based in Cross Hills since 1994.