NOW there's a crafty way to stay cheerful during lockdown - residents are being encouraged to knit 'NHS angels' for Dorset County Hospital.

Weymouth-based 'Let's Make It' community craft group, working in partnership with Weymouth Town Council, is providing divine inspiration in the form of a quirky-yet-wholesome challenge to create knitted NHS figures with angel wings.

The group - which has had to suspend meetings due to lockdown - is challenging nimble-fingered residents to knit nurses, doctors and surgeons, with the figures eventually winging their way to the hospital to boost spirits.

Crafters are also being rallied to create keyrings and hand decorated chocolates to raise money for the group's chosen charity of the year, The Veterans Hub, with plans for the items to be sold at shops and table-top sales once lockdown has been lifted.

Cllr Graham Winter, Mayor of Weymouth, said: “This is a wonderfully creative example of what the community can achieve when we work together, and we are pleased that the town council can support this great project.

"During these uncertain times, we all would like to do our bit and thank the NHS while also helping to combat social isolation.”

Cllr Gill Taylor, who is also a member of Let’s Make It group, said: “Creating items for other people is very therapeutic and is a great tool in combating social isolation and uplifting people’s moods.

"How many of us have some wool lurking in our cupboards that we are unsure of what to do with? This is a wonderful way of thanking our NHS staff for all of the hard work that they are doing.

“We are asking people who have knitted, crocheted or sewn the angels to save them for us and then drop them into the Weymouth Town Council offices on Commercial Road when the offices reopen. The angels will then be tagged and dropped off at Dorset County Hospital where NHS workers will find them and hopefully it will make them realise just how much we appreciate their hard work.”

For more information about the project or to request a free knitting pattern contact Julie Hursthouse, community development officer at Weymouth Town Council on 01305 239306 or email juliehursthouse@weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk