MORE volunteer knitters are needed for Royal Surrey County Hospital’s ‘Octopus For A Preemie UK’ project.

Each knitted “Octopal” acts as a calming aid to support babies in the neonatal intensive care unit under 24-hour supervision or special care baby unit.

Witley resident Sarah Howell, the project’s area co-ordinator, said: “The octopus has a very positive effect as a calming aid.

“The tentacles replicate the umbilical cord, which the babies hold onto in the womb, and holding them seems to help relieve their stress.

“With the tentacles to hold, babies are much less likely to pull out tubes and essential monitoring equipment cables that are attached to their bodies.”

Sarah and Nicci Trotman recently delivered 25 ‘Octopals’ to Diane Freeman and Lisa Russell from parent group Positive Touch at the hospital.

•To sign up, join the Facebook group ‘Octopus For A Preemie UK’ – go to :www.facebook.com/octopusforapreemie