VOLUNTEER knitters are seeing the profits of their hard work help provide warm homes to the elderly this winter.

The Warm Age Wood Company officially opened its first pop-up shop in the Market Place, Barnard Castle, on Saturday, two years after it was set up.

There are about a dozen knitters in the Barnard Castle area, plus one each as far afield as Bradford and Burnley, who are given wool to create knitwear to sell in the shop.

Although the main focus appears to be hats, the creative volunteers are encouraged to make whatever they would like.

The money raised is then used to buy wood briquettes to sell to the community.

For every ten packs sold, one is given away free or subsidised to an elderly or vulnerable household.

Dave Watson, of The Warm Age Wood Company, said: “We want to give this wood to older people who need to stay warm. We don’t have any means testing, it is there for people who can’t afford all the wood they need.

“Some people don’t want it for free so we subsidise it instead. We want people to be able to keep warm in their homes.

“Before we decided to set-up here we were on the market stalls which was great but obviously it was often windy or wet. You always had to watch to make sure things didn’t blow away or get wet.

“The knitters are amazing and I actually think being able to show what you have to sell well in the best possible way makes a big difference.

“We are a social enterprise but have to try and run it like a business. We do it because we love it and we want to keep the idea going.

“What we are doing allows people to benefit from free or subsidised fuel.”

Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, cut the “wool” ribbon to officially declare the shop open on Saturday morning.

She first heard about the scheme when she bought a woolly hat for a relative and has been a keen supporter of the idea ever since.

“When I bought a hat a year ago I didn’t dream the social enterprise would flourish in this way,” she said.

“It is a great idea and I would like to congratulate everyone who is involved.

“It is all marvellous, from recycling the wool to make hats to tackling fuel poverty.

“I can’t think of a better enterprise. I would like to wish my best wishes to all who knit in her.”

To find out more about The Warm Age Wool Company call Mr Watson on 01833-605007 or visit warm-age.com