FLOCKS of sheep have been knitted for a special service at All Saints Church.

Worshippers made 700 in total, with 500 being given to pupils from Ferndale School and Poppy’s Nursery to encourage them to attend the crib service on Sunday December 17.

The sheep will be used to connect an ‘Alternativity’ under the altar featuring local landmarks to a more traditional nativity scene by the font which will be made during the service.

The kids and congregation members will then enjoy a puppet show and keep their woolly presents.

The aptly-named Reverend Barbara Sheppard came up with the idea in January.

She said: “I couldn’t sleep and thought about counting sheep, searched for a knitting pattern, made a fluffy little sheep and had this vision of giving one to all the children at the local school.

“The congregation have been working together to knit, sew, stitch and tag sheep of all different shapes, sizes and colours, it was good fun.

“It’s been a wonderful project, the target was to make 500 so making 700 is unbelievable.”