Gas mask company hits 140 years of production

A company that makes respiratory protective equipment for armies has hit 140 years of production.

Equipment made by Avon Protection, which is based in Wiltshire, is used by four million people across the world.

The company began as Avon Tyres in the 1800s but started making gas masks during World War Two. It is now the sole supplier for the UK Ministry of Defence, Nato, and the US Department of Defence.

The firm's president Steve Elwell said it had a "very proud history" of supporting military personnel in major conflicts.

The company employs 300 apprentices, engineers, designers and scientists at its site in Melksham.

Mr Elwell said: "We sell something we hope they [customers] never have to use, but when you do need to use it, you need to know it's going to work."

"The people who keep us safe at home every night, we keep those people safe," he added.

Site leader Hannah Berrelly has worked for the company for 16 years, following in the footsteps of her grandparents, aunts and uncles who worked in both tyre and gas mask production at the firm.

"It's run in the family," she said.

"My father was an engineer at Avon and when I left school I needed to earn some money so started as the receptionist," she added.

She said it was very rewarding to "manufacture goods that protect lives".