A Grandmother from Downham who learned how to knit in the blitz has been putting her needles to good use.

Jean North, originally from West Ham, first starting knitting in the 40’s for those injured in battle.

She worked for the ARP(air raid precautions) during the war and also made garments for school children.

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Now, over 70 years on, Jean has taken up her yarn once again, and has made blankets for the homeless and hats for babies on the premature ward in QEH.

Jean, who is a resident of care home High Haven, said: “I started off knitting squares for the soldiers who were injured, sending them to hospitals.

“We would just knit squares all day.

“It was a full time job knitting those squares, sometimes for 15 hours day.

“When someone came around saying that the hospital needed baby hats and the Purfleet trust needed blankets, I said to them.’Give me some needles and wool and I will do it!’ and you know what, the wool appeared on my bed!

“I don’t know who put it there, but I’m grateful, I want to give back and help people, these blankets will keep someone warm who is sleeping rough.”

Jean says that the knitting keeps her occupied, “It’s much better than staring into space or watching the telly.

“I love making interesting patterns and using a lot of colour, I like making cheerful things.”

Jean’s knitting doesn’t just extend to charitable causes, she’s even darned a blue and white Ipswich town football scarf for a member of staff who is a fan.

Jean has no plans to slow down, and will carry on knitting for these two very important local causes.

Jean told the Lynn News: “As long as they need it, I will carry on knitting as long as I am able.”