Village cheers local Lioness with postbox topper

A retired teacher from the same village as England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton stayed up until the early hours to create a new knitted version of the star.

Jan Platt, from Studley, Warwickshire, said she wanted to complete the work "so she was up for the semi-final" and was delighted the postbox topper was also in place for Sunday's Euro 2025 final against Spain.

"I am so proud of Hannah and the way she represents the village," said Ms Platt, who is part of Studley Stitchers, a group that creates a range of designs.

Two years ago Hampton visited a crafted version of herself and team-mates, made by the group ahead of the Women's World Cup in Australia.

The Lionesses have been providing much excitement at Euro 2025 in Switzerland, including coming from 2-0 down in the quarter-finals and then winning the penalty shootout.

Ms Platt said such performances motivated her to stay up until 02:30 BST to finish the design, which now sits on a postbox in Alcester Road, Studley.

"Hannah was a bit of rushed job because we didn't realise they were going to do so well in the competition," she told BBC CWR.

She explained she had met the footballer a couple of times, including when she visited the previous postbox topper, and found her inspirational.

"It's such a momentous thing with our Lionesses doing so well, being at the forefront of women's football," said Ms Platt.

"When I was a child women didn't play football and I really want to encourage young girls to become as good a footballer as they can be and to take up the opportunities that are offered to them."

Ms Platt said the Studley Stitchers played an active role in the community, and currently had seven postbox toppers up in the village, including of Mr Men and a giant ice cream.

"We've got a new one going up this week advertising the flower show," she added.

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