CHILDREN at a Forest school will have fun spotting some of their favourite book characters thanks to the work of a local branch of the Women’s Institute (WI).

English Bicknor WI near Coleford has been encouraging members to develop their needlework skills and recently completed an I Spy quilt for the Heart of the Forest special school at Speech House.

The quilt, which features characters such as the Gruffalo, Winnie-the-Pooh and the Very Hungry Caterpillar, was presented to delighted children in the school’s early years department.

Susan Yemm, of English Bicknor WI, explained that the project was part of efforts to get members doing crafts.

She said: “We started a once-a-month craft group and we have completed two quilts in 12 months.

“The first one we raffled to raise money for Great Oaks Hospice.

“We now have an on-going project to make items such as peg bags and animal pin cushions to sell at the hospice fete and its got members learning needlework.”

The WI worked with Monmouth-based professional quilter Jo Rioux.