Caring Clitheroe woman is knitting hats to keep East Lancashire's homeless warm this winter

Not content with merely taking other people’s pooches out for a run and play during lockdown, she put out a plea on Facebook for knitters to follow a simple knitting pattern for woolly hats or beanies to be given to the homeless and vulnerable – to date she reckons she has had hundreds delivered to her door.

The first batch went via Ribblesdale Rotarian Liz McGinley to HARV, which masterminds caring for those experiencing domestic abuse in Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley. The second batch was divided between Clitheroe Salvation Army and Street Angels in Leeds. She would like to thank all those who have bought wool and spent time knitting beanies.

Thanks to this good deed, Pam has made lots of new friends, one of them being Pat Ryan, who has made 45 lovely big blankets over the years for various charities. Their combined challenge to all those seeking a simple pastime while indulging on "The Crown" or "The Bridge" is to knit squares that can be sewn together into a warm blanket like the one Pam is holding.

Pam is encouraging people to get involved in this community knitting project. She said: "The pattern is simple, so come, everyone can do it! You will need DK wool and size 8 (5mm) needles. Cast on 38 stitches and knit 62 rows in stocking stitch. This should result in a 7 inch square in old money. When you’ve knitted as many as you want to then please pm me to ask for the delivery address."