MYSTERY knitters created a jubilee-themed display around a North-East town’s public toilets – and struck again at a seaside pier, 50- miles away.

The woollen decorations appeared in Barnard Castle town centre, in County Durham, early yesterday, on railings outside the underground toilets and around the adjoining seating area.

A group of about 20 local craftspeople, unnamed but described as being aged from nine to 80, spent three months secretly planning the display and knitting items they thought should appear in a jubilee-themed garden.

The group wishes to remain anonymous, but a spokeswoman said: “We were inspired by the yarnbombers at Saltburn and thought what they did was a great way to spread news.

“We had to hone our ideas down to what was practical and safe. Hours of hard work and love have gone into it.

“We wanted to bring some good news to the town and to do something spontaneous and creative.”

Knitted bunting and garlands of flowers and bugs have been wrapped around the railings, which have also been adorned with knitted members of the Royal family.

The main display is called Jubilee Gardens, with numerous colourful Jubileethemed items, all lovingly made out of wool, and there is also a knitted figure with a trolley full of woolly goods.

A cryptic paper sign attached to the display, created from words cut out of a newspaper, declares: “Barney’s naughty sheepish fairies jubilee gardens.”

The display caused a stir of excitement among visitors, residents and business owners in the town, with a steady stream of people stopping to admire the site throughout the day, and speculating about who was responsible.

Marilyn Maynard, from south London, who is on holiday in the area, said: “It is amazing to think that someone’s sat down and thought about how to do it.

“It looks fabulous and it is a really good talking point.”

Sally Nicholls, from Barney Wools, whose shop is located opposite the display said: “It is all very hushhush.

I think its really good because it helps bring people into the area and promote local craft. There are a lot of craftspeople in this area, not just knitters.”

Meanwhile, 50 miles away mystery yarnbombers have also struck again in Saltburn, in east Cleveland, decorating the seaside town’s pier with Jubilee themed knitted characters.

In March, Saltburn pier was targeted overnight and festooned with a 50-yard Olympic scarf depicting athletes competing in events.

The woollen graffiti artist struck again this weekend, leaving a trail of handcrafted red, white and blue bunting, the Queen’s crown on a red pillow, a royal guard on horseback and Beefeaters in full uniform.

There are also corgis, a pot of tea and teacups bearing Queen Elizabeth’s insignia, a scene from her coronation in 1952 and the word Congratulations.