Festive postbox toppers deliver Christmas cheer in the West

If you have been out to post a letter lately you might have noticed your postbox looking more festive - and cosy - than usual.

Christmas-themed crocheted postbox toppers have been popping up across villages, towns and cities ahead of the big day.

They feature Santas, reindeer, snowmen and Christmas trees. You name it - anything festive.

Here is a selection of some of this year's woolly toppers across the West.

Amie Nelmes, from Stratton, Gloucestershire, learnt to crochet during the coronavirus lockdown, initially, she said, to keep her sane.

She started by making a variety of creations, such as toys and accessories, for the social media "Random Acts of Crochet Kindness" scheme; making things and leaving them in her local area for strangers to find and keep.

Her first topper was on a postbox near a school in Stratton, Cirencester.

"It was a big hit," said Mrs Nelmes, "I had loads of responses thanking me and the children said it was brilliant."

For the past year she has made a topper every month on a relevant theme, such as the King's Coronation in May.

"I do it for other people now. I'm happy if someone says 'It brought a smile to my face' and I can think, I've done that. I love it," she added.

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