A group of Inkberrow knitters and crocheters aged from six to 92 have smashed their 4,000 poppy target for Remembrance Sunday.

The poppy cascade from St Peter's Church bell tower exceeded the goal by more than 2,500 poppies, and has been completed well ahead of time.

Following an open call to the church, on Facebook and in community groups, around 170 participants from all walks of life got involved in the project, from vicars to chimney sweeps.

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The community project received financial backing from Thomas Brothers funeral directors and Hills Ford, which purchased yarn, hooks and needles.

These were put to good use during knit and chat sessions hosted by the landlord of The Old Bull.

Poppy drop-off locations were set up in Inkberrow at the church, The Old Bull pub, and the Nu-U hairdressers.

There was even some international participation, with some poppies flown in all the way from Lanzarote.

A group of friends from Cookhill also got involved, delivering hundreds of poppies at a time.

The poppies will be on display by Saturday, October 19 ahead of an evening concert with The Bluebird Belles.

Visitors of the cascade during half term and throughout November will also be able to enjoy tea and cake at St Peter’s Church.

Now that the cascade has been completed two months ahead of schedule, the group has shifted their focus to crafting a purple poppy display in tribute to the animals lost in war.

Churchwarden, Melanie Hart, said: "Last year Tina, Hill from the WI, and I contacted the priest-in-charge, Rev Ian Perry, quite independently on the same day to ask about doing a cascade.

"Her connections within the WI and mine within the church soon got things going then many more people within the village became involved and it snowballed.

"One lady told us how knitting the poppies had helped after losing her dog, which had always sat on her lap at night, giving her a new focus.

"That we smashed our target so quickly and by so much reflects how greatly so many people respect those who fought and fell for our freedom and will do whatever they can to honour them."