A KNITTED Noah’s Ark that took six months to craft has been gifted to delighted children from Sidmouth Day Care Nursery.

The creation was a gift from the ladies of Sidford Women’s Institute (WI), whose skills made national headlines last year, writes Clarissa Place.

They showcased their latest work at the Sid Valley Horticultural Society’s Garden and Craft Show on Saturday before presenting it to intrigued children.

Karin Persson, head of the nursery, said: “The children really love it. It’s something that is different from all the plastic toys that we have had before.”

The ark is decorated with a multitude of animals – including lions, monkeys, zebras, tigers and elephants – and will be used as a storytelling tool.

Sidford WI’s antics received national attention last year after they could not find a home for a knitted village they had intended to gift to sick children at a hospice, because it was deemed a health and safety risk as its wool could not be sterilised.

The item was eventually donated to an orphanage in South Africa.

The WI’s Jean Bridgeman told the Herald this week: “We were very careful in our choice of materials this year, but the whole thing [last year] got out of hand.”

The grandmother-of-eight was one of the members at the show on Saturday to hand over the ark to the children.

“The looks on their faces was wonderful when they saw the ark,” said Mrs Bridgeman

The WI is now working on a project for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund before starting to think about next year’s piece.

They will also be showcasing some of their work next month at the stitching, selling and hobbycraft show at Westpoint.

l Horticultural show picture special – see pages 32 and 33.