Dozens of kind-hearted women have come forward after an appeal was made by the Action for Greyhounds charity - through The Evening News - for volunteer knitters to help them keep up with demand for pixie hats and snoods for pets.

Before Christmas, the Norfolk charity was inundated with requests for handcrafted head wear for animals, but did not have enough knitters.

Annie Boddey, for Action for Greyhounds, said: 'Thanks to the Evening News for publishing our appeal for volunteer knitters. We have had a fantastic response from mainly local ladies who have offered to help, thereby enabling us to get all our items ordered before and after Christmas, completed on time, so we have had many happy customers.

'We have met some very interesting and talented ladies, many who already knit various items for several charities and good causes and it's surprising how the knitters vary in age, with many younger people taking up knitting as well as people who have been knitting for many years. Hand crafting seems to have become very fashionable.

'We have had some amazing hound head and neck garments made, so there will be many trendy hounds across the UK looking stunningly fashionable as well as keeping cosy and warm in the cold weather.

'Many volunteer knitters were unaware how greyhounds and whippets feel the cold and need to be wrapped up well in the winter months and many have commented that the project has been a real 'eye opener' for them.

'Of course, the sale of all the items also helps to raise much needed funds for Action for Greyhounds to maintain our vital work

'Several of the volunteer knitters have also kindly offered to continue to knit for us in the future, which will hopefully enable us to have a good stock of quality garments as they are becoming so much more popular with 'hound lovers'.'