Creative knitters are being sought to make miniature hats for a big project.

Age UK West Cumbria is asking people to make tiny hats to fit on Innocent smoothie bottles, as part of a national fundraising Big Knit campaign.

The deadline for making the hats is July 31. Hats will go on sale in October and carry a 25p donation towards Age UK’s vital work to help support older people across the country.

Andy Todman, chief officer of Age UK West Cumbria, said: "We’re overwhelmed with how much support this year’s Big Knit has received – the hats are getting more and more impressive and they are coming in thick and fast which is great.

"We need to hit our huge two million hat target though so we’re asking all those out there who want to help make a difference to the lives of older people in West Cumbria to pick up your needles for one final knit.

Mr Todman said: "It doesn’t matter whether you’re a dab hand and can knock a miniature hat up in ten minutes or whether you’ve never knitted a row in your life, we want everybody to get behind the Big Knit and help us smash this incredible target. Come on West Cumbria we’re counting on you!”

Older people are particularly vulnerable to the cold, and each winter many die needlessly as the result of cold-related illnesses.

Every hat donated to Age UK West Cumbria will help keep older people warm and well by funding local services such as our winter warmth campaign, energy checks, general information and advice services, support to maximise incomes, activity groups, support to stay connected to the local community.

For more information on the Big Knit contact Lucy Bailey, from Age UK West Cumbria on 08443 843 843.

People can send completed hats to your local Age UK shop or centre.

The hat knitting pattern is available to download, to find out more visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/bigknit or pop into an Age UK centre to pick up a leaflet.