A “PIMMS and Needles” ladies group which has soared in popularity since being launched two years ago is expanding to its third location.

The women are starting a group in Aycliffe Village next month after a surge in demand for the cocktails and crafts evenings since its launch.

The group was founded by Charlotte Pyrah and Donna Feeney in 2015 after attending a sewing class with some other local women – and they decided to take the crafts out of the class room.

Since then they have tried everything from laughter yoga to life drawing and word has spread.

They originally launched the group in Hurworth with over 100 members, but soon spread to Darlington in July last year. The group now stands at 180 members in Darlington and Hurworth alone and a further 50 on a waiting list.

They meet every month, offering an escape from the ‘demands of daily life and pressures of social media’.

Mrs Feeney said: “There’s a need for it, we’ve both got our own businesses but it’s been set up as a community interest group.

“We are fortunate that our ladies come with an open mind so trust us to provide a fun session. Everyone loves the creative sessions such as the life drawing and ceramics.

“The sewing activities give everyone a good opportunity to chatter. But the more unusual ones like laughter yoga and Lindy hop dancing have been popular too.”

The expansion to Aycliffe Village hall aims to be an alternative way of making friends for women or mothers in the area.

The pair are hoping on expanding further into North Yorkshire, Teesside and Teesdale in the future due to the high success.

The opening of the Aycliffe Pimms and Needles branch will be on April 21 at Aycliffe Village Hall.