Bucks New University is donating around 13,500 items of personal protective equipment to the NHS to protect staff on the frontline.

The gear includes face masks, visors, gowns, aprons, and surgical gloves.

It is just one of a string of measures the High Wycombe university is taking in a bid to help support the nationwide effort to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The university has also offered the NHS use of its nursing simulation labs and meeting rooms to help relieve some of the pressure on hospitals.

'Professor Nick Braisby, Vice-Chancellor of the University, has also written a letter calling on private landlords to support the students living in their homes.

The university has waived the cost of accommodation for the summer term for those students still living in halls and has asked landlords to recognise the "exceptional circumstances" everyone is facing - and offer rent discounts or early release from contracts.

The letter says: "The university is doing all it can to help our students and I am calling on all private landlords who are letting accommodation to our students to do the same.

"These times are challenging for all of us. They are particularly challenging for our young people who have not had years of employment in which to build up savings.

"The current employment market is exceptionally difficult, and we do not know when it will return to normal.

"The government currently advises that students should stay in their existing accommodation, and not return home; some of our students have no other home to go to."

The university has also introduced an emergency allowance scheme for students to claim up to £250 to meet any urgent money issues, in addition to its existing hardship fund, and has reduced costs by up to 75 per cent for those still living in halls.

Professor Gavin Brooks, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university, said: "We're joining the national effort to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak by supporting the NHS and emergency services in whatever ways we can.

"From donating around 13,500 items of PPE that are in short supply to offering up our facilities and accommodation, we're supporting the valued front line people who are helping to keep us all safe, and care for those in need at this challenging time.

"Our university community is so grateful for everything they're doing.

''Doing the right thing by our students and staff is also very important to us.

"We know that many people have financial worries at this time, especially our students who lost the jobs they rely on to fund their studies overnight.

"We've given students still living in halls a 75 per cent rent discount for next term, and released others from their contracts.

"We're calling on private landlords to follow our example and do what they can to help our students.''