A Staffordshire woman stumbled on a hidden talent when she took up knitting to help her quit smoking and has created countless baby garments for friends and family.

Julie Molineux, aged 49, has spent every spare moment in a knitting frenzy in recent months after spotting an appeal for knitted hats for Tibetan babies – managing to churn out an incredible 101 for the tiny tots. She said: “My mum taught me to knit, but it was only when I wanted to quit smoking a couple of years ago that I took it up properly.

“I thought it would take my mind off the cigarettes and now I really enjoy it, it’s very therapeutic.

“I saw the appeal on the Paul O’Grady show and thought I’d make some hats for the babies.

“I had some bits of spare wool so I thought I’ll give it a go and make 20, then it turned into 25, then 50, and before I knew it I had 100.

“I thought I might as well use it all up and make an extra one,” she added.

Miss Molineux, of Thompson Road, Brereton, fits in knitting the petite hats around a full-time job for the Department of Work and Pensions, and can rarely be spotted without her needles in her hands.

And despite finishing her task it’s unlikely she will be taking a break from knitting anytime soon.

Miss Molineux’s hand-knitted garments are in fierce demand from friends, family and colleagues, all eager to get their hands on one of her scarves, hats, shawls or matinee jackets for new arrivals.

She said: “A lot of people have told me I should get a knitting machine but I wouldn’t dream of it.

“I like putting it together myself, it feels good to think – I made that.”

The hat appeal was made by the Save the Children charity.

To find out more about the charity visit www.save thechildren.org.uk

By Kerry McDermott.