BUPA Care Homes is calling on knitting fans in Redditch to help create the world’s biggest tea cosy and set a new Guinness World Record.

Residents are being asked to knit squares or strips which can be sent on and added to others to create one giant tea cosy.

The challenge is being attempted to raise awareness of this year’s Communi-tea Week (April 20-26), a nationwide campaign which uses the theme of tea to tackle problems of isolation and loneliness in older people.

Siobhan Drane, from Bupa Care Homes, said: “An enormous tea cosy has really captured people’s imagination and already staff, residents, friends and families have dug out their knitting needles to make a start.

“We really want communities to get involved too so we can create a cosy that will be unbeatable for years to come.”

To comply with Guinness World Record guidelines, people should use 4mm knitting needles and double knit yarn.

The plain knit squares or strips can be any colour but need to be 15cm wide and either 15cm, 30cm or 45cm in length.

Finished squares or strips need to be handed in by Tuesday, March 31, either at a local Bupa care home or posted to Tea Cosy Challenge, Bridge House, Outwood Lane, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4UP.

To take part call 0113 3816306 or email communi-teaweek@bupa.com.

For more information, visit www.bupacarehomes.co.uk.