Hundreds of knitters have picked up their needles for newborn babies in Chester.

Midwives at the Countess of Chester Hospital took to social media last month appealing for knitters to make tiny hats for full-term babies born at the hospital.

Each baby born at the maternity unit in Chester is given a knitted hat to keep their heads warm after birth but last month, midwives noticed stocks were at an all-time low.

The team posted a message on their Facebook page asking knitters to come forward to help rebuild their supply.

After reaching more than 300,000 people, including a lady almost 1,500 miles away in Naples, hundreds of hats came pouring in.

The maternity team has now received more than 1,000 hats for their full-term babies.

Kathie Grimes, labour ward manager and deputy head of midwifery at The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Keeping newborn babies warm and in particular, their heads is really important so we like to give every baby born at the Countess their own knitted hat.

“We realised last month that we were running very low on hats for our full term babies so appealed for knitters via the hospital’s Facebook page.

“We couldn't have imagined the response we’d get and we have been inundated with offers to knit hats for our babies.

“I’d would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to knit and send them to us.

“We have received over 1,000 beautiful hats for our full-term babies from all over the UK and some are even being sent from as far afield as Italy.

“Every hat is gratefully received and they are a lovely keepsake and reminder of such a precious time in their lives.

“We can’t thank everyone enough.”

Anyone who would like to knit a hat for full-term babies on the unit can post them to: Labour Ward, The Countess Of Chester Health Park, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1UL.