AN appeal for unwanted balls of wool came from the co-ordinator of an enthusiastic band of charity knitters in West Devon this week.

Linda Downing, of Buckland Monachorum, said the ladies who knit for Operation Sunshine have in the last few years completed more than 9,000 babies' jumpers, 5,000 woolly hats and around 700 blankets.

'The problem is, I think we seem to have got to the bottom of the wool mountain,' said Linda.

She said over the years wool had been donated and left at Tavistock Library. It is collected and Linda delivers it to her volunteer knitters.

'We've had hardly anything recently. I have all these ladies, many of them chair-bound, and they just love to do this knitting.

'You would think they were knitting for their great grandchildren, the care they put into them and yet they never see them on a child — my mother, who is 98, is knitting a blanket for Africa at the moment as if her life depended on it!' Linda said.

The hats, jumpers and blankets are sent to needy children and adults in Africa.

Anyone who has any spare wool should take it to Tavistock Library, where it can be collected by Linda.

She would also like to hear from anyone who would like to do some knitting for Operation Sunshine. Call Linda Downing on 01822 853792.