TAVISTOCK College students have designed innovative products to support disabled and older people.

The Year 8 product design students created helpful aids, including an automatic kettle and laser-guided walking stick.

Teacher Rob Moore, who developed the design brief, said: 'The scheme of work is designed to make students think about and appreciate the difficulties faced by elderly and disabled people.

'The idea came from my 97-year-old Nan who, although mentally is very strong, now struggles with many physical tasks.'

To appreciate the difficulties others face, students wore ear defenders to simulate deafness, covered their eyes to experience loss of vision and put on thick gloves to give an idea of the limited movement arthritis and rheumatism sufferers face.

The volunteers performed everyday tasks such as making a cup of tea or toast and used the problems they encountered as inspiration for the products, which included slippers with built-in lights and a multi-purpose wheelchair.