A HOST of small hand-knitted angels bearing messages of peace and goodwill descended on Grayshott on Sunday night.

Pupils of Grayshott Primary School were thrilled to discover their surprise Christmas presents in the hedges and bushes on their way to school on Monday morning – as was everyone else who came across them on their travels through the village and took them home.

Grayshott has become one of a growing number of communities across England to join a Christmas “yarn bombers” movement that originally started in North Shields.

To date, more than 6,000 angels have been knitted from the same pattern by parishioners to mass distribute in many different villages. But each of them has unique decorative touches incorporated by its maker that means no two are alike.

St Luke’s parishioner Barbara Ward was inspired to “yarn bomb” Grayshott after her sister-in-law enjoyed the experience so much in her home town of Lymington last Christmas.

Mrs Ward, a former teacher at Grayshott Primary School, was delighted to find her enthusiasm was shared by more than ten other residents, many of whom attend St Luke’s Church.

By Sunday, December 9, they had knitted more than 500 angels and attached a label to each one wishing their new owners all the best and including the days and times of special Christmas services.

Mrs Ward said: “We started out thinking we would make 300 and we have got 550. They were left all along the roads on hedges, bushes and walls to be discovered, with an invitation to take one and enjoy.

“They were gone in a flash. and we have had lots of positive feedback, so we have achieved what we set out to do. We worked out a village plan and put them along the two approach roads to the school and right through the middle of the village.

“We also gave some to the nursery school so the children could hang them up inside.”