NIMBLE knitters in Sherston deserve a giant pat on the back after making more than 3,000 hats for the Operation Christmas Child charity.

Margaret Greenslade, who co-ordinated the task, laid down a challenge in January of gathering 1,000 hats to be packed with other gifts into shoeboxes as a festive treat for needy children in proverty-stricken Eastern bloc countries.

Since then, she has been inundated with 3,025 hats, as well as scores of pairs of mittens.

Mrs Greenslade, who lives in the village, said: "I have been absolutely staggered and so delighted because people really have tried so hard.

"I want to say thankyou to everyone who has contributed."

The final lorry of shoeboxes went on midday on Sunday, from Sherston High Street.

Mrs Greenslade said it has been a marvellous effort. "The generosity of everyone concerned has been absolutely staggering," she said.

"In January a lorry load of wool was delivered anonymously, which really started us off, and one woman in the village has knitted over 200 hats."

Mrs Greenslade is now preparing for next year's charity push.

"I urge everyone to carry on making hats to reach an even bigger total next Christmas," she said.