A PENSIONER from Stourport has knitted 75 scarves to keep vulnerable children warm this winter.

Wendy Squires has spent the last 10 months hand-knitting the rainbow-coloured scarves to donate to Brookside Children's Centre in Kidderminster, which supports families in need in the Wyre Forest.

Wendy told The Shuttle: "I learned to knit from my mother when I was five years old so I've been a knitter most of my life. It's a hobby of mine.

"This year I decided I would make some scarves for an orphanage, but I didn't know where to go.

"I learned about Brookside Children's Centre and checked with them to see if they were interested and they said yes.

"I decided to do them all different colours so that each one is unique. It's taken me about three days to do each one."

The scarves will go to the children and families that Brookside directly supports, as well as to other local charitable groups including the Women's Refuge, as part of the centre's 10:32 A Christmas Present For You campaign.

Team manager Amy Hodgkinson said: "Our Christmas gift appeal is supporting children aged 0-19 years and their families.

"It's important for us to provide support all year round but we wanted to be able to put a smile on the faces of children who need our help this festive season."

For more information about Brookside Children's Centre, search 1032 Wyre Forest on Facebook.