PREMATURE babies will be sure of a warm welcome into the world thanks to the knitting skills of residents and staff at Holcroft Grange residential home in Culcheth.

They have just completed 25 woolly bonnets which have been delivered to Alder Hey neo-natal unit to help keep the patients snug and warm at the Liverpool children's hospital.

The project was the idea of Ann Hamilton, activities co-ordinator at the Jackson Avenue home, who said: "It all came about when I heard through the grapevine that the unit was short of suitable bonnets to keep premature babies' heads warm," she explained.

When 90 years-old Hilda Martin and fellow resident Nessie Watson (84) heard about it they were soon busy with their needles.

And co-ordinator Ann was keen to add variety to the resident's daily programme as well as supporting a good cause.

Hilda's and Nessie's enthusiasm quickly spread to home manager Janice Steele, home services manager Marion Goddard and domestic assistants Irene Wrench and Margaret Wright, plus Hilda's daughter Pam Best and resident Margaret Holland's daughter, Edna.

Staff at Alder Hey were thrilled with their new deliveries and deputy ward manager Edna Smith sent a thank you letter to the Culcheth home.