A group of keen crafters in Hartlebury have come up with a novel idea to create Christmas trees for the homeless.

The bobble hat tree is made up of 120 warm woolly knitted and crocheted hats that will be the centrepiece of the Christmas Tree Festival in the village this year.

It is the fourth year that the Women’s Institute (WI) has organised the event in St James’s Church on Quarry Bank which will run over two days on Friday, December 1 from 6pm to 8pm and Saturday, December 2 from 10.30am to 3pm.

A spokesperson for the group said: “As well as more traditional trees, the event will have other unusual trees on display.

“Local charities, societies and businesses have all taken part in previous years, creating a tree with no needles, an embroidered tree, one made out of plastic milk bottles, another from pom poms and even one made out of an antennae.

“This year will see ever more inventive ideas to raise money.”

After the festival, the bobble hat tree will be dismantled and the hats will be given to the WI’s chosen charity H.E.L.P. which is based in Kidderminster and supports those in need and the homeless.

The festival will also have children’s games, craft stalls and a WI cake stall, book stall, lucky bags and refreshments including mulled wine and mince pies.