CRAFTY Ferryhill residents are helping a national charity bring warmth and colour to the lives of needy children thousands of miles away.

Members of the Dean Bank Chat and Craft Group have made hundreds of garments for youngsters in impoverished African communities.

Each year the group takes part in a charity campaign, making items or raising money for a good cause that means a lot to the group.

This year, following extensive media coverage featuring poor, hungry, sick and homeless children, the group chose to support Feed The Children.

In five months, members have knitted and crocheted 697 cardigans, jumpers, ponchos and blankets using wool that was donated to the group by local people.

To complete the campaign the group held a community fundraising day, at Dean Bank and Ferryhill Literary Institute last month, and raised £1,000 to cover the cost of shipping the items to Africa.

Ann Turner, who ran the appeal, said: "We've enjoyed making the items and are pleased to help.

"We are really grateful for the support of local people who provided the wool and helped us raise money to send the items to children who need them."