AN unusual knitting spree looks set to bring in thousands of pounds to Durham County's Age Concern organisation,

It was some weeks ago that the Innocent company, which makes mini-bottles of smoothies, challenged residents in the area to join a national campaign to knit little woolen hats to top off its product.

In turn, Innocent pledged to donate to Age Concern, 50p from every bobble-hatted bottle sold at Sainsbury's, in Durham.

Thanks to knitters in the area, the company's target of 200,000 tiny hats has now been reached, which will mean Age Concern, including the Durham County branch, coming in for a share of £100,000.

A spokeswoman at Innocent said yesterday: "Almost 25,000 older people died of cold-related illnesses last winter, so we believe it is really important for us to do our bit to help keep them warm over the cold winter months.''

She added: "The response from Durham knitters has been great.''

The company, she said, was now hoping the little winter-clad smoothies will fly off the shelves and help raise the cash for vulnerable elderly people.