A charity shop in Sheffield has been getting crafty in order to raise as much money as possible in time for Christmas.
The Samaritans shop on Chapel Walk in the city centre has received more than 700 knitted goodies from two of its own volunteers, and they are already proving to be a huge success, The Star reports.
Margaret Blincow and Betty How have been making woollen items including snowmen, cupcakes and Santa hats since September to help out with the festive stock.
Ms Blincow told the newspaper: "People have been buying them as fast as we can make them, we had no idea how popular they'd become.
"We're constantly refilling the basket by the till - it's been incredible."
As well as being a hit with local customers, Sheffield's Crucible Theatre has even helped out by buying up 35 knitted cupcakes to present to the cast of one of its numerous Christmas productions.
So far a total of £600 has been raised for the Samaritans and has taken the knitting duo more than 350 hours to create all the impressive festive items.
Meanwhile, Ms How, from Norton Lees, told the newspaper how she had worked for the Samaritans for several years, volunteering her services at the charity shop 12 years ago.
"We had no way of knowing how much people would take to them, but we're so pleased with the response.
"I tend to make a few at night while I'm watching TV, so it's not been too much and I do enjoy making them," she explained.
Ms How and Ms Blincow, who are both now retired, met while volunteering in the shop and have since celebrated many holidays by cracking out their knitting needles.
This includes Easter, where they knit chickens and rabbits and sell around 500 each spring.
