Ref.10618IT may be summer, but knitters from around Sherston have been busy making woolly hats, and they need more help.

With temperatures soaring into the 90s last week most people were trying to keep cool, but the knitters' needles have been hotting up to help Operation Christmas Child.

The hats, complete with bobbles, will be packed into shoeboxes and sent to children in eastern Europe as Christmas gifts.

For the last two years knitters from around Sherston and Malmesbury areas have made more than 3,000 hats.

But organisers are calling for extra support to help break that record.

Margaret Greenslade who is co-ordinating the effort said: "We have 400 hats so far and we have people all round the area knitting. There is even a woman in her 90s involved and there are lots of people in the villages helping. We have had a very good response in previous years but this year we would like to knit more."

Hats are being made in different shapes, sizes and colours which Ms Greenslade hopes will make the children smile.

The knitters are also looking for spare wool. It can be odd balls or part balls of any bright coloured Double Knitting wool. Anyone who can help or donate should call Mrs Greenslade on (01666) 840423.