A DRAKES Broughton woman, hooked on crochet, has produced more than 1,300 woolly hats for the Operation Christmas child appeal.

Anne Russell, who owns The Spinning Wheel shop in Baker's arcade, Pershore, has used up miles of wool of varying thicknesses to crochet the colourful "tea cosy" style hats designed to help keep out the cold in the chilly Balkans.

Miss Russell, who is recovering from a hip operation, said: "I appealed on the local radio for wool and hundreds of balls came rolling in. I also begged odd balls from my customers, family and friends which kept me well supplied."

She crocheted the hats over the last 12 months - each one takes one hour to complete.

The 60-year-old added: "The work keeps me physically and mentally active - especially useful after my operation and the charity is so worthwhile."

Bob James, organiser of the shoebox appeal on behalf of Samaritan's Purse, said: "This lady is absolutely amazing. We use her lovely hats to fill up any shoeboxes with room left in them."

Mr James is also collecting pasta, rice, flour and sugar, and more chocolate for the children.

l EARLY risers tomorrow (Friday) morning will be able to tune in to GMTV to see the first shoe box lorry setting off from the St Richard's Road warehouse in Evesham. The TV crew will be filming live from 6am for three spots in the hour-long early morning show.

If you want shoebox appeal details Mr James can be contacted on 01386 881605 or 07980 187090.