There's no stopping those charity knitters!

Knitters aged 7 - 85 years old were ut in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool, on Saturday, doing a sponsired knit in aid of the Blue Light Babies charity.

For four solid hours, a team of hard-working people got creative in the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre in Hartlepool to back the Blue Light Babies cause.

The event was organised by the Hartlepool store Bonnie Babies.

Bosses decided they would celebrate International Knit in Public Day on Saturday by holding a knit-a-thon - and it certainly got strong support.

Its aim was to raise awareness of Blue Light Babies which encourages people to make blankets and hats for newborn babies.

It provides medical teams with new born babies with hats, mittens and blankets for those born in unexpected places.

Jayne Berry, owner of Bonnie Babies, said: “This is the first knitting event we have hosted and it was a great opportunity for us to recognise the community knitters and makers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to produce an array of beautifully made garments. “We are also keen to highlight the need for more makers to continue the good work that is done.”

She said she was “delighted” that so many took part and added: “The youngest member of our team is nine years old and the oldest is nearly 90.  “With such a range in age it just goes to show that knitting appeals to any age.”

Bonnie Babies has been supporting Blue Light Babies since it first began in 2015 and is currently a drop off point for knitted and crocheted pieces, receiving donations from across the North East.

The charity was set up by ambulance worker Jo Owens who realised that there was not sufficient baby clothing available to new born babies who were delivered in public areas.

Once she set up a Facebook group it soon gained momentum and is now an ongoing national campaign with thousands of knitted items being produced across the country.

Mark Rycraft, Middleton Grange Shopping Centre manager, said: “Blue Light Babies is such an inspiring initiative and Jo Owen works so hard to meet the constant demand for new born baby items.

“We are right behind the excellent work Bonnie Babies and its team of knitters delivers for Blue Light Babies.”