Call for knitted roses ahead of Rugby World Cup

Rugby fans have until Sunday to submit their knitted and crocheted red roses

A final call has been made for knitted or crocheted red roses to decorate Brighton and Hove, ahead of September's Women's Rugby World Cup.

The Amex stadium in Falmer is one of eight venues hosting matches, with England playing Australia on 6 September and New Zealand playing Ireland the following day.

The deadline for submitting the roses, which will be on show in shop windows in the city from 25 August to 7 September, is this Sunday.

Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, described it as a "colourful and quirky way" to celebrate the major sporting event coming to the city.

Inspired by the England rugby team's love of crochet as a team-bonding activity, the project aims to "inspire the next generation of female players, deliver a legacy for the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 and paint the country red and white to support the Red Roses this summer".

Members of the England Red Roses rugby team have embraced crocheting as a creative and calming hobby, especially during downtime from intense training and tournaments, with Abby Dow, Hannah Botterman and Tatyana Heard forming an informal Red Roses Crochet Club.

All submissions for the project are welcome including red roses, rugby balls or bunting.

Patterns can be downloaded here, and all finished items must be dropped off at Jubilee Library in Brighton by Sunday.