DISAPPOINTED yarnbombers who tied scarves for rough sleepers onto railings outside the Guildhall without permission claim they were removed because "Chinese delegates" were visiting.

However, Worcester City Council said the visit was just a coincidence and instead arranged for Maggs Day Centre and St Paul's Hostel to collect them so they would get properly distributed and would not get ruined by the weather.

Eight yarnbombers swooped in at 4.30am to tie 91 handmade scarves with messages attached to the Grade II Listed railings of the Guildhall without permission.

Project Wrap Up Warm Worcester hoped they would remain so homeless people could collect them.

Organiser Carys Thurlby said she was disappointed the scarves had been taken away but was glad it had grabbed people's attention to raise awareness of homelessness.

Speaking just after they had been collected up, she said: "I'm sad that after all the build up it has only been here for a short amount of time but I am grateful to the council for letting it stay up until 1pm.

"I am also really pleased so many people have stopped and stared and have been so positive about it and we know of at least three homeless people who have taken scarves.

"One of them said it meant the world to him that people cared enough to do it.

"We did it at 4.30am in the morning we didn't ask permission we just did it and sometimes that's what the world needs.

"Sometimes you have to stick your neck on the line for a cause you believe in."

Mrs Thurlby, from St John's, gathered with other of her yarnbomb team including Grace Humphreys and Jo Openshaw to watch the scarves being collected up.

Donna King, director of services at St Paul's, Lisa Richards, housing officer, along with residents Richard Hunt, Ernie Adams and Martin James, Mel Kirk, manager of Maggs Day Centre and Amy Johnson, Maggs Day Centre's health facilitator, bagged them up.

Nina Warrington, the city council's service manager for community activity and strategic housing, was also present and explained the council took action to bring people off the streets rather than supporting rough sleeping.

"We welcome donations from the public to help the homeless people and rough sleepers in Worcester.

"We work closely with charities such as St Paul's to prevent homelessness and help people sleeping rough to get a roof over their heads again.

"This is why we have arranged for St Paul's Hostel to collect these scarves and hats so that they can be given directly to people who need them.

"We operate a No Second Night Out policy in Worcester.

"This means rather than supporting people to sleep rough, we take action to bring anyone new to the streets indoors and ensure they do not need to sleep outside again.

"We would like to encourage people who want to make donations supporting homeless and rough sleepers to do so directly to charities such as St Paul's Hostel, the YMCA and Maggs Day Centre.

"At this time of year, they are particularly looking for winter clothes including good quality hats, gloves and coats and thermal underwear."

Her comments were echoed by Jonathan Sutton, chief executive of St Paul's, who called it a kind and generous donation but asked people to look at the Want to Help the Homeless? section of the hostel website.

Mr Sutton said: "It is very kind and generous of the people of Worcester to think of homeless people.

"This time of year is a natural time to think of people who are down on their luck.

"If people want to help in Worcester the best idea is to look on St Paul's or Maggs' websites because there are a number of things they can do."

For more information, stpaulshostel.co.uk/Appeal/want-to-help-the-homeless.