A RED sea of sparkly knitted poppies were crafted at the Royal British Legion pop-in this week.

The knit and natter group who meet at the Legion’s Regent Street pop-in have taken on the mammoth task of creating as many beautifully designed woollen poppies as they can.

Although the start of the Poppy Appeal is still months away, the crafty knitters are getting a head start after unprecedented demand saw them run out of the pretty poppies last year.

Supporters of this year’s appeal will be able to choose from a variety of knitted poppies including sparkly, triple layered and supersize.

Volunteer Pauline Neil, 61, from Haydon Wick, joined the Legion when it first opened and is now a familiar face to ex-servicemen who visit the centre.

Pauline, who made a whopping 600 knitted poppies last year said she enjoyed her craft

“It is very relaxing to make them. You can find patterns online and then away you go. It is a very satisfying feeling seeing them come together.

“Nothing will ever replace the traditional paper poppy but people like the fact these clip onto your coats and you don’t lose them. They are also very stylish.

“They just flew off the stands last year, I think we sold about 1,000 in two weeks, it was the most we’d ever sold and it helped raise so much money for the appeal.”

The knitting is a family affair for Pauline who was joined by her daughter Callie, 31 and Tanzila Simm, 57, from Oakhurst.

Pauline also has a personal motivation behind knitting the poppies. Her great-grandfather Henry Weight, along with brothers Frederick and James were killed in action in World War One.

Her grandfather Walter ‘Wally’ Radcliffe also served in the RAF during World War Two.

“I think of them all the time when I am knitting the poppies,” said Pauline

“It shows that the poppy is moving with the times and in fact it’s more popular than it has ever been

Callie added: “Without the brave men and women we wouldn’t have the world we live in today so it’s so important to honour them and raise money for the Legion.”

The knit and natter group meets on the first and third Friday of every month from 11am to 1pm at the Royal British Legion’s pop-in centre in Regent Street

The Royal British Legion is the country’s biggest armed forces charity and provides care and support to serving and past members of the British Armed forces.

It is the national custodian of Remembrance with its emblem being the iconic red poppy.

For information visit www.britishlegion.org.uk