The final stitches are being put in place to turn a market town into a wonderfully woolly spectacle for its annual carnival.

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham Carnival knitters are putting the final stitches to a yarn bombing project. Picture: Ian BurtDereham Carnival knitters are putting the final stitches to a yarn bombing project. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Dozens of knitters have been clicking away at their needles for months on The Big Knit which will see all the street furniture in Dereham's market place smothered with colourful creations for the town carnival on Sunday, July 16.

Knitting groups, school children and individuals have been busy working on thousands of colourful squares and strings of bunting which is now being sewn together for the yarn bombing extravaganza.

The project is being co-ordinated by carnival committee member Judy Rogers, whose kitchen and dining room is bursting at the seams with knitting.

'Yarn bombing is done all over the world,' she said. 'If you look on the internet you will find pictures of buses and cars, even an army tank covered in pink crochet.

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham Carnival knitters are putting the final stitches to a yarn bombing project. Picture: Ian BurtDereham Carnival knitters are putting the final stitches to a yarn bombing project. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

'Since we announced the project the response has been amazing - so many people have contributed to it.

'Schools have started knitting groups especially for this - I can't begin to add up how many people have been involved.

'There has been a hard core of around eight knitters who have constantly been bringing pieces in since last September. But others have done two or three squares which is great as it all adds up. The Salvation Army craft group has even made a life-size army officer.'

Mrs Rogers took pictures of the market place and every piece of street furniture she thought could be covered, from bollards, to planters, benches and railings.

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham Carnival knitters are putting the final stitches to a yarn bombing project. Pictured is Ann Edwards. Picture: Ian BurtDereham Carnival knitters are putting the final stitches to a yarn bombing project. Pictured is Ann Edwards. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Even the war memorial will have a special knitted tribute but the team agreed this would have to be done in the most respectful way. Ann Edwards has knitted 218 red poppies which will be placed around the memorial.

'There is one for each name on the war memorial,' she said. 'I have a pattern I follow as I knit poppies for Remembrance every year and I just made these ones a bit bigger.'

Once the carnival is over the knitting will not go to waste - the squares will be turned into blankets for people or animals in need and other pieces will be kept for future years.

'So many people have put so much effort into it,' said Mrs Rogers.

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham Carnival knitters are putting the final stitches to a yarn bombing project. Picture: Ian BurtDereham Carnival knitters are putting the final stitches to a yarn bombing project. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Carnival factfile

Dereham Carnival takes place on Sunday, July 16.

The event returned to the town last year for the first time in 20 years.

This year the parade will start on Greenfields Road at 11am, heading down Norwich Road, Crown Road, Neatherd Road/Wellington Road to the war memorial, through the market place, along the High Street (the wrong way), and down London Road.

Seven acts will be performing from 1.30pm to 8.30pm on the music stage alongside DJs Ruddaz & Ralphy.

The main arena includes Big Andy strongman, dance, youth and theatre groups, and a display by the Norwich Star Wars Club as well as fancy dress and tug-of-war competitions.

There will be dozens of activities for all ages, stalls and refreshments.

Funds raised from the event will support the East Anglian Air Ambulance and other local charities.

Visit the website here .