Keighley teenagers have created innovative aids to help older people in their homes.

They designed and manufactured prototypes during a boot camp at Fab Lab Airedale.

A dozen young people went along to the four-day design and enterprise workshop during the Easter holidays.

They learned skills including design, product development and engineering, and used Fab Lab equipment, which includes 3-D printers and laser cutters.

Sessions were sponsored by medical supplier DePuy Synthes, which was also offering accompanying work placements.

Fab Lab manager, Rafeeq Chaudhry, said the young people – aged 13 to 18 – came from Oakbank and Parkside schools and Leeds City College.

He said the students began by looking at problems faced by older people, such as lack of mobility, manual dexterity, strength and agility.

He said: “The first thing was to brainstorm issues around the house. They produced working prototypes to help people.

“The kind of things we’ve done in four days would take a product development company three or four months.”

Products included methods to lock doors, help people move around the house and change a lightbulb without having to use a ladder.

The Fab Lab, based in Dalton Lane, Keighley, plans to run another boot camp in the summer for 14 to 19-year-olds.

E-mail info@fablabairedale.org or call 01535 606703 for further information.