A TRADER has been overwhelmed with the positive messages she received after she spent hours crocheting a tribute gift of our armed forces.

Elaine Rose Anderton, 66 from Barrow has spent hours crocheting a tribute to our armed forces for her friend Wendy Gunning who owns the Wool Baa stall in the market for display on the counter.

Elaine who has been crocheting for two years now said: “It was just something I’ve been working on for the last few weeks.

“It was all from my imagination, I didn’t have a set pattern.

“I’ve only been crocheting for two years but I’ve been knitting my whole live but it gave me back problems so a friend of mine suggested I try crocheting as your just using your hands not your arms quite as much and I just taught myself through videos on YouTube.

“Crocheintg is just a hobbie of mine now and I always like to gift things for Wendy to display on the stall which people often buy.

“Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to make anymore of the armed forces tributes if people wanted to buy them as the turnaround wouldn’t be long enough but, maybe for next year.”

Retired hairdresser and Tesco shop assistant, Elaine said she was astonished with the feedback she received when Wendy posted an image of the gift on Facebook.

She said: “I was really taken back, I’m really please and chuffed with all the comments I received online, astonished really as I just made it for Wendy.

“I didn’t think it would be the sort of thing someone would want to buy – it’s more of a one day tribute which you only display for that day unlike the Christmas items I am currently on with making.

“I’m making snowmen, Father Christmas and elves for Christmas which will be able to be used for a longer period of time.”

Barrow Mayor, Helen Wall was in the market opening a new stall when Wendy went into the market offices to show the team Elaine's great creation and Helen was present.

Wendy said: “Helen thought it was absolutely amazing! She was so impressed with it, as was everyone else.

“It was a shame she couldn’t make anymore to sell but we can’t wait to see what she comes up with for Christmas.”