AS a schoolgirl, learning to knit garments for those serving in the armed forces during the days of the war, and then over the decades knitting for family and friends has ensured that Jean Radnor, now a sprightly 87 years young still has nimble fingers.

Jean has recently embarked on knitting "purple pinkies" as part of a new campaign working with the Rotary club, which helps to promote the eradication of polio around the globe. The significance of the purple pinkie is the immunisation project carried out in Pakistan and Afghanistan where children receiving the life saving drops have there little (pinkie) finger marked with purple dye identifying them as having had the prescribed dosage.

Over the last year Jean and her daughter Jane Baker, 64, have made dozens of fabulous crocheted blankets and created numerous knitted clothes and other items for the Ledbury Refugee Support campaign, and these have been sent to the Idlib refugee camp in Syria.

Both Jean and Jane agree that knitting, sewing and crochet have assisted in preventing arthritis from affecting their hands and would encourage people of all ages to take up this rewarding hobby.

Jane commented: "making these blankets and clothes to send to those in need overseas is a very worthwhile cause, and making the purple pinkies is another really important way we can help".