VIRTUAL pokemon hunters might get more than they bargain for thanks to a yarn bombing mum who is hiding crocheted versions of the creatures in Castle Park.

Kelly Szabo, who lives in nearby Riverside in Colchester, has started making the cute creatures for people playing the hugely popular Pokemon Go game on their mobile phones to find.

Over the last two weeks, Kelly, 26, has hidden more than a dozen Pokemon in the park, including favourites Squirtle and Jigglypuff for people to find after being inspired by a top crochet artists from the USA.

She said: “It started when I was looking at one of the crocheting pages on Facebook which is run by a lady in Texas - Nichole’s Nerdy Knots.

“She was doing it over there and I thought I could do the same - it just seemed like a fun thing to do so I made a couple and put them in a bag to hide in Castle Park.

“Just a random act of kindness can brighten someone’s day.”

The Pokemon have Kelly’s Instagram tag - Szabo90 attached to them - and she is hoping people who find them will send her a picture or tag her on the social media site.

She added: “I have gone back and checked myself and there has definitely been times when they have been taken which is great.”

Millions of people around the world have been playing the mobile-based game since its launch earlier this year where players can find and catch Pokemon on their phones.

Castle Park has proved to be one of the busiest areas in town for the game, with regular meet-ups arranged by keen gamers.

Kelly took up crochet while pregnant with her son Joseph, who is now one years old, and encouraged more people to take up the hobby.

She said: “I started two years ago when I was expecting, mainly because I physically could not do anything else.

“I would encourage anyone to do it if they have a few minutes to spare – you can make a lot more than you would ever expect.

“I did start to play Pokemon Go but it is difficult to play and look after my little boy at the same time.”