GET your knitting needles at the ready and join volunteers for a knit and a natter at Tavistock Oxfam shop's 'Knit a Duck' event in celebration of International Women's Day tomorrow (Friday).

Men and women, young and old, are invited to pop into the shop and buy a small knitted duck or buy a pattern to knit your own along with a tasty chocolate Easter egg.

The event is to highlight the importance of women in communities and the importance of education, health issues and rights, particularly of women in developing countries.

Oxfam volunteers will be on hand to teach newcomers how to knit and to help when needed. Some wool has been donated by Soft Touch, but donations of wool and knitting needles are still needed. The event will run from 10am to 4pm.

Oxfam is also calling for singers and musicians to sign themselves up for the second 'Buskfest' event for Comic Relief.

'Buskers' will be given half-hour or hour slots to entertain audiences in the main Oxfam shop and in the Oxfam Bookshop.

Already lined up are a few acoustic acts as well as bands Gypsy Train and Gun Slinger.

Any singers, musicians, choirs or bands are being urged to sign up for the event, which will take place the day after Red Nose Day, Saturday March 16, from 9am to 5pm.

Oxfam shop manager Jackie Theobald said: 'Some people can't find the time to volunteer but are able to give their time by doing one-off things like this. It is about celebrating the town's generosity as well as making money for Comic Relief.'

The Oxfam shop and Bookshop are the only places in the town where you can buy this year's dinosaur-themed Red Noses, as well as deeley boppers, badges and wrist bands, but they are rapidly running out.

Anyone who would like to sign up for Buskfest can do so by visiting the shop in West Street or by contacting Jackie or Jake on 01822 615534.

The shop is also running a competition for Fairtrade Fortnight, which ends this week, where shoppers can win a food hamper if they spend more than £5 on food items in the shop during the fortnight.