ANDOVER knitters from the town’s Friday market have got together to make warm head gear for patients in need.

When Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Air Ambulance put out a plea for hats to comfort traumatised patients, Shirley Benet and Barbara Barnett from Andover’s popular Friday morning Market for All Seasons (MFAS) took up the challenge.

They knitted 20 warm beanie hats, which were handed over to the air ambulance last Friday.

A cheque for £250 plus £50 from a collection tin was also raised for the service by producers supplying Market for All Seasons.

Emma Way, MFAS chairman, said: “We are delighted to be able to help such a worthy service.

“We have just celebrated our first year of trading as Market for All Seasons and were pleased to support Hampshire Air Ambulance over the 12 months.”

Caroline Tyree, of the air ambulance, said: “Exposure to the elements means that sometimes our patients are very cold when we get to them.

“A lot of heat is lost through the head, so being able to offer patients a warm hat can really help in these situations. All hats are issued to patients on an individual basis, so are used only once to stop any cross contamination.”