A KNITTING group has put their needles together and raised £150,000 for a hospice.

The members of St Clare's craft circle has sold items they have knitted and sewn and raised the huge amount of money for Farleigh Hospice over the past 23 years.

Maureen Head, 64, explained why the Heybridge group wanted to bring in some cash for the hospice.

Mrs Head, of Lawling Avenue, Heybridge, said: "The hospice does such important work in our community.

"I think at some point, in some way, it has touched the life of everybody who lives in Heybridge.

"Bringing in money for them at the moment is particularly important because they're trying to raise money to build a new building."

The knitting and sewing group has 13 members and creates goods which range from kitchenware to baby clothes.

Mrs Head said the group was proud to hit the £150,000 mark just eight years after reaching £100,000.

She said: "We're so pleased with the amount we've raised and I am incredibly proud to be part of such an amazing talented team.

"We hold our monthly meetings in Hazelwood Court, which is where several of the group live, and the management there are very kind to let us do that."

This Saturday, the craft circle will hope to raise even more money for the hospice at their Christmas Fayre which will take place at Plantation Hall in Heybridge.

It will run from 2.30pm until 4pm and include cakes, jewellery and jigsaw crafts.

Details of the group's other events can be found at www.farleighhospice.org