Poppies with the personal touch

NIMBLE-FINGERED staff have knitted and crocheted more than 200 poppies in the run up to Remembrance Sunday.

And their colleagues at Oldham Sixth Form College have been snapping-up the unique designs which have raised £400 for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Dianne Campbell came up with the idea after seeing a giant wreath of knitted poppies at Ashton Museum. She persuaded colleagues Carol Bates, Margaret Martin, Tawnia Parsey, and Carole Shirt to dig out their knitting needles and crochet hooks to make their own.

Each poppy is different and takes around 20 minuets to make.

They cost £2 each — with all proceeds in aid of the charity — and have proved so popular that they have sold out.

“We are obsessed by them . . . they take your life over,” said Dianne.

“Demand has definitely outstripped supply and a few members of staff have said they would like to make them with us next year.”