A crafty team of care home residents have knitted 500 little bobble hats.

The 'woolly warriors' at Colten Care's Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst took up the challenge as part of The Big Knit, a campaign by Age UK and Innocent drinks to support older people.

The national initiative aims to raise funds for services that help older people live more fulfilling and independent lives.

Every hat knitted earns Age UK 30p, meaning Woodpeckers' contribution has raised £150.

Woodpeckers knitter Patricia Hoy with needles in handWoodpeckers knitter Patricia Hoy with needles in hand (Image: Philip Hartley) The residents and staff spent more than 400 hours creating their "woolly masterpieces", each uniquely designed using more than 20,000 grams of community-donated wool.

Dawn Pearson, a resident of Woodpeckers, said: "We love knitting and have all enjoyed taking part, knowing at the same time that the money raised would go to help people perhaps facing loneliness or worries about money and how to cope."

The hats will be sent to Innocent to adorn their smoothie bottles, with the company suggesting they can be repurposed as desk ornaments, gear stick warmers, Christmas tree decorations and more.

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Jane Bunker, Woodpeckers companionship team leader, said: "Knitting is a great way to relax, be creative and come together with others for chats and shared time.

"Our residents needed no excuse to turn woolly warriors for the Big Knit.

"We’ve had a lot of fun supporting this worthy cause."

Since 2003, the Big Knit has raised £3.2million to support Age UK's services.

Woodpeckers is one of 21 care homes in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, and West Sussex owned by Colten Care.

Seven of these homes are rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

The company is the UK's highest-rated care home group of its size, with a group score of 9.9 out of ten on Carehome.co.uk.

Colten Care's homes offer 24/7 nurse-led care, homecooked food, companionship, fresh laundry, housekeeping services, and access to safe, peaceful, and inspiring gardens.

The company supports its residents to raise thousands of pounds for charities each year.

Founded more than 35 years ago, Colten Care is a family-owned care home provider.