Hundreds of handmade poppies honour courageous war heroes

Volunteers from Knitted in Knutsford, a local knitting group, have spent hours creating more than 400 red and purple woollen flowers.

Val Pallister, who set up the group seven years ago to raise funds for East Cheshire Hospice, said: "We've really enjoyed knitting these poppies.

"A lot of us have family and friends who were in the services and we have been sharing our stories.

Liz Hirley, Jenny O'Brien, Christine Massom, Kerry Reece, Val Pallister and Jenny Grossett from Knitted in Knutsford

"My late dad, Bert Marsh, was a veteran Normandy paratrooper. John Lace, the son of one of our volunteers, Christine, serves as a helicopter pilot in the army."

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Ex-serviceman Ian Drinkwater, who runs Slipped Discs music stall suggested poppy bunting could be created at Knutsford Market Hall.

Hundreds of homemade poppies create a poignant Remembrance Day display in Knutsford Market Hall

Sandra Curties, Knutsford Town Council's town centre and marketing officer, said: "This was such a lovely idea of Ian's.

"The Knitted in Knutsford group has really excelled themselves over the past few months.

"We will make use of the poppies each year."

Some poppies have been placed on top of a postbox

The market will be holding a minute's silence at 11am on Thursday.

The knitted poppies are also displayed on the railing outside the war memorial and draped over postboxes in the town and in some shop windows.

Volunteers have knitted hundreds of poppies including this display on the railing outside the war memorial

The knitters meet at 1pm every Monday afternoon at Dexter and Jones artisan gin bar.

"We started making little bottle topper hats for gin and vodka and last year we raised £600," said Val.

"Last year we made more than £600.

Some poppies are draped over a post box

"We love knitting and anyone is welcome to join us, including beginners."

For more details email knittedinknutsford@icloud.com