YOUNGSTERS in Malmesbury have been bitten by the knitting bug and have produced scores of scarves, hats and gloves for people in need.

Big-hearted pupils at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School have helped fill 76 shoeboxes with winter woollies after getting to grips with knitting needles at an after-school knitting club.

Their multi-coloured, fancifully patterned wares will go to the Samaritans’ Purse shoebox appeal in which the public was urged to fill shoeboxes with much needed items.

Others goods donated by parents have also gone into the shoeboxes as part of a year-long effort to support those less fortunate.

School administrative assistant Linda Byrne said: “Since January we have been running a knitting club after school and pupils have been knitting items to go into shoeboxes.

“Things they have made are scarves, bags and decorating hats and gloves.”

Pupils have also covered some of the shoeboxes with Christmas paper before packing the knitted items and other donated goods into them, to add to the festive flavour of the appeal.

She said that throughout the year they had also been busily collecting empty shoeboxes for the appeal.

“They have filled a total of 76 shoeboxes, which is a fantastic effort,” she added.