Bridport's iconic longest hand-knitted scarf, measuring over 400 metres in length, has been turned into blankets for orphans in East Africa.

Enthusiastic knitters across the town helped to create a scarf measuring an impressive 410 metres in length - equivalent to around the length of four football pitches - to raise money for Bridport Community Kitchen.

Now the scarf has been cut down into numerous blankets which will be donated to an orphanage in Kenya as well as the RSCPA. 

Blankets made from Bridport's longest scarf to be donated to an orphanage in Kenya Blankets made from Bridport's longest scarf to be donated to an orphanage in Kenya (Image: Bev Thornton)

There are also plans to make woolly hats out made using the left-over wool which will go on sale for Christmas in Bucky Doo Square on Saturday November 23 to raise more money for the charity.

Bev Thornton, who helps to run the charity, said: "It is satisfying to know that all of the scarf has been used to help the kitchen and other good causes.

Blankets made from Bridport's longest scarf to be donated to the RSPCABlankets made from Bridport's longest scarf to be donated to the RSPCA (Image: Bev Thornton)

"Public support has been really encouraging, and once again I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part or supported the project."

Since October last year, volunteers would meet at the charity once a week to knit squares which would then be sewn together to form the scarf. Each square was also sponsored to raise money for the charity.

The project has attracted international attention with knitters from as far afield as Australia getting involved. 

An unrolling ceremony was held in May where the former Mayor and Mayoress of Bridport, David and Bridget Bolwell walked from the kitchen based at Priory Lane, following the town crier through Bucky Doo Square to the town hall.


READ MORE: Bridport Community Kitchen unravels town's longest scarf

The total amount raised from the project came to more than £2,500 which Bev Thornton said will enable the Community Kitchen to continue its much-needed work for those in need in Bridport and those just passing through.

Dave Bolwell unravels town's longest scarf from Bridport Community Kitchen Dave Bolwell unravels town's longest scarf from Bridport Community Kitchen (Image: Bev Thornton)

The charity has been running for four years, offering healthy hot meals and companionship to struggling members of the public.

More information about the charity can be found on its Facebook page: https://tinyurl.com/3ahaw2j7