RISHI Sunak MP has praised the efforts of a Stokesley firm engaged in the battle against the coronavirus.

IT-IS International makes DNA analysis machines which are used to detect the virus which causes Covid-19.

The 20-employee company on the Stokesley Business Park has been working since the start of the pandemic to meet unprecedented demand for its machines, which it exports all over the world.

It has doubled production capacity to produce 300 machines a month.

Mr Sunak said he was proud that a small company in Stokesley was making such a major contribution to the effort to defeat the virus.

He said: “IT-IS have responded magnificently to the challenge, stepping up production as much as possible while meeting the rigorous quality standards.

“I commend the whole team for the way they have worked so hard through the pandemic, meeting the demands of their customers when the need for their technology has been so high.

”It is inspiring to see British engineering at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19.”

Rod Fuerst, chief executive of IT-IS International, says his team's skill had shone as they coped with current challenges.

He said: “We are a small business operating in a global market in competition with some very big firms.

"It was really important that we remained focussed on maintaining our strict quality control while ramping up production as much as we could.”

He added that it was pleasure to show Mr Sunak the work of his team.