MENTAL health charity volunteers have knitted 1,000 poppies in a bid to raise cash for the Royal British Legion.

The group, who are members of Rossendale Rubicon, based in Stacksteads, have been busy stitching hundreds of poppies out of wool since September which include crocheted poppies for ladies and smaller poppies with buttons.

They have provided the wool and pins themselves.

Last year the group raised £600 and are aiming to smash the figure this year by raising £1,000.

The group is already looking ahead to next year and have requested donations of red wool and black buttons. They will be starting in August in hope of setting a new record.

Christine Lamb, from the group, said: “It’s very important that you remember the armed forces because many of them come back home with problems and it’s good to make a contribution to support them.”

Will Straw, Labour's parliamentary candidate in Rossendale and Darwen, visited Rubicon last week.

He said: "It's fantastic that so much money is being raised for the Royal British Legion thanks to the time and effort of the volunteers at Rubicon.

“The range of different designs available is brilliant and gives people the chance to pay their respects to the fallen in a more touching, personal way.

"Many of the volunteers lived through the war so it is particularly moving that they are involved in this impressive effort.

“Others are suffering from mental health issues so this activity, and the many others that Rubicon organises, have been a really positive step forward for them."

The poppies are on sale for £1 from Stacksteads and Bacup post offices and Bacup Library.