More than 120 people took part in the Rotary Big Knit in aid of charities close to the hearts of people in Thanet.

The event took place for the fifth time at Holy Trinity Church, Cliftonville, on Saturday, organised by the Isle of Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club.

Main charities to benefit will be the Pilgrims Hospice, Margate’s QEQM hospital’s cardio-rehabilitation unit and the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group (Thanet).

Participants of all ages, including some men, set their needles clicking to see what length they could knit in 90 minutes.

More than £5,000 is raised each year from The Big Knit.

Rotary secretary Caroline Saunders said: “This is quite incredible for this kind of event, and down to the enthusiasm of the participants.

“One of the reasons its so popular is because it brings together groups and individuals many of whom don’t have the ability to take part in the more usual and active type of sponsored event.

“Over the five years, they have made new friends during the afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

“We don’t do anything very exciting with the end product as the strips and squares are all odd lengths and not suitable for a decent blanket, but we attempt to get them sewn up somehow and then donate them to The Lord Whisky Animal Sanctuary. Animals don’t notice if blankets look odd!

“It’s only local charities that benefit from The Big Knit.”

Representatives from the charities were among those present and the Mayor of Margate, Cllr John Edwards, launched the knitting.