A GROUP of women have proved they are fit to knit by creating a mammoth 130ft scarf.

The Knit and Knatter group members have spent weeks taking part in a sponsored scarf-knitting challenge to raise funds for victims of the Philippines disaster and have raised almost £100.

The Rev Stephen Radford, of Kearsley Mount Methodist Church, in Manchester Road, where the knitters meet, said: “We wanted to do a project for people suffering from loneliness and isolation at home.

“Our community worker Sally Cooper came up with the idea of Knit and Knatter.

“People meet and we provide a buffet lunch, then in the afternoon they start knitting and nattering.

“The group has been great. We have had people say they have had so much to talk about since it started.”

The scarf will be split up and made into blankets, which will benefit charity Siblings Together.

The cause works to build relationships between brothers and sisters aged between seven and 18 who have been separated while in care.

Knitters, who have been working on the project for several weeks, have made nearly 20 blankets for the charity.

About 30 people attend the group, which is run by Precious Gems, a charity aimed at improving mental health and well-being in the community.

The group is aimed at people aged 50 and older and is funded by Bolton CVS.

It meets once a week at the church in Manchester Road, Kearsley.

Mr Radford added: “Siblings Together does amazing work with children who are adopted to independent families. It brings these children together on a regular basis on a weekend and gives them a knitted blanket.

“The siblings write messages and swap blankets. Knit and Knatter has a purpose and gives people the chance to come together and friendships have been formed.”