Knitters create nude Christmas window display

A group of knitting enthusiasts has transformed a shop window into a fun Christmas scene using knitted nude local characters.

The festive display at the Carpet Gallery and Haberdashery store in Portchester precinct in Hampshire is raising money and awareness for Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer UK.

Many of the characters have come from the Voice for Portchester Facebook group.

The Nudi Knitters wanted to use the window characters as a way to talk about intimate issues.

The Nudi Knitters wanted to use the window characters as a way to talk about intimate issues

Sara Steele and her husband own the independent flooring specialist and Haberdashery shop.

"People see it and start chatting about who they know with cancer," she said.

Her hope is that it could "stop people dying of embarrassment".

The idea came from the yarn group that meet once a month in her shop.

She said: "When they first opened the display, one of the knitters' granddaughters thought the couple sitting at the table were the King and Queen.

"As Charles has prostate cancer, it's fine if they think that, but they are not."

Mrs Steele said she had a personal reason for trying to raise money for the charities, because her husband Simon has prostate cancer.

Tina Allingham was responsible for getting everyone together for the knit via Voice for Portchester. She had breast cancer but has now recovered.

The amount of money raised will not be known until after the festive season, but Mrs Steele said many people were going into the shop to donate after seeing the window display.

"Even the vicar loved his character, he had a photo of it and showed his congregation," she said.

Mrs Steele said the reaction had been wonderful, with one customer who said: "Thank you for putting the heart back into the community."

The idea for the nude window display came from the Nudinits brand, which is directed by Sarah Simi.

Mrs Steele said plans for next year's charity Christmas window display were already under way.