BLANKETS are being knitted by elderly residents to keep premature babies warm this winter.

Cosy comforters are being handmade by pensioners living a The Beeches Care Home, in Stockton, to be donated to the University Hospital of North Tees' neonatal department.

The home’s knitting club is appealing for donations of wool to help them create as many blankets as possible this year.

Helen Wood, home manager, said: “Our residents came up with the idea of knitting blankets for the premature babies at the North Tees Hospital.

“We thought it was a lovely idea and demonstrates a strong commitment to their community and their ongoing passion to help in any way they can.

“While the knitting club has a small supply of wool to get started on the blankets, we’re appealing for donations if anyone has any lying around.

“It will be transformed into cosy comforters for some of the newest and most vulnerable members of our community.

“We’d be hugely grateful for any and all donations received.”

Wool of any colour and length can be dropped off at the care home, off Green Lane, in Newtown.