ANYONE who is a whizz with a ball of wool or a speedy knitter in need of a challenge... listen up!

Whiston and St Helens hospitals are appealing for knitters to help them raise money for patients living with dementia by joining their charity knit-a-thon team.

To mark World Alzheimer's Day on September 21, the hospitals are asking nimble knitters to make as many forget-me-not flower brooches as possible. The flowers will be sold to raise money for their hospitals' charity to benefit patients living with dementia.

Lauren Hanson, dementia nurse specialist for St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We need the skills of knitters across Cheshire and Merseyside to help us make as many flowers as possible. Please help us to raise awareness of dementia and brighten the lives of patients living with this syndrome one stitch at a time."

The trust is also holding a live 'knit-a-thon' from 9am to 5pm at Whiston Hospital on World Alzheimer's Day with all knitters welcome to come along, join in and help raise funds.

To get involved, email lauren.hanson@sthk.nhs.uk or call 0151 676 5253.