AN INTER-generational knitting project will see a village park become bright and beautiful in time for summer.

Weir Pride secured a grant from Rossendale Community Fund to help cover the costs of WWW - Woolly Weir Wildlife.

Now villagers and school children are knitting, crocheting, making pompoms and French knitting using a bobbin.

The plan is to cover the playground in Weir with riot colour in the form of knitted squares, a pompom rainbow, brightly coloured bunting and knitted wildlife including frogs, bees, ladybirds and owls and more.

Co-ordinating the project is Glynis Page, who is accomplished in both crochet and knitting.

She said: “The project started when three then Year 6 pupils approached Weir Pride as we were planting and asked if the park could be brightened up.

“Their initial idea was to paint the wooden equipment, but as that was not possible we evolved their idea into WWW.

“We started a knit and natter group every Tuesday morning at the Doals Centre and we can have as many as 15 people come along.

“We are now going into Northern Primary School to teach the children knitting and they are also doing bobbin work and making pompoms. We had 23 children at one session and had to turn some away.

“An evening session on the last Thursday of every month is also held at the Doals Centre from 7pm to 8.45pm.

“It is wonderful to see how the community of Weir has embraced the project and we have many home knitters sending in their squares, some have also taken their knitting abroad on holiday.”

The community organisation, which last year won a Royal Horticultural Society award and was a finalist in Rossendale Business Awards Pride of our Valley category, has received many donations from charity shops and residents.

More than 100 squares have already been made along with more than 50 pennants for bunting and a knitted ‘paper’ chain.

There are already 21 knitted birds including a nest and chicks, 17 owls, 11 mice, four hedgehogs, 10 hearts, 11 ladybirds, three frogs, a snail, six grass snakes, a cat and other creatures that have been knitted for the park.

The group aims to have the park yarn bombed in time for summer and the village fete which this year is planned for July 22.

Anyone who has wool or needles to donate can contact Weir Pride through its Facebook group and anyone who wants to knit a square or creature is welcome to contribute to the community project.