A new knitting and sewing group at the Salvation Army in Chippenham is asking for assistance in helping two charitable causes.

Members of the group are preparing to donate knitted scarves, hats and mittens to the Christmas shoebox toys appeal, and are also making dresses to be sent to Africa.

They meet every Friday at the town’s Salvation Army base, between 10am and 11.30am, and are eager to welcome new members.

They have also put out an appeal for donations of linen or wool for their products.

Margaret Boyd, a corps assistant at the Salvation Army, said: “We feel this is a project that will be a real benefit to the community.

“If you enjoy making things, or would like to learn how, please come and join us.

“If anyone in the community is able to donate any spare knitting wool or cotton fabric suitable for little dresses, we’d be extremely grateful.”

Sue Pulleyblank, from Operation Christmas Child, the annual shoebox gifts appeal, said it was great to see sewing groups preparing already, with ten months still to go until the festive season.

She said: “I don’t know how much they are going to produce, but it’s going to be a great help.”