Huge knitted WW2 exhibition goes on display

The Longest Yarn 2 features 80 panels of woollen scenes from World War Two

A huge display featuring knitted aircraft, soldiers, airmen and other scenes from World War Two has gone on display at Stoke Minster.

Titled The Longest Yarn, the exhibition includes 80 panels, each one metre long.

Initially created last year to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day and telling the story of the landings, this year's tour includes other scenes.

Among those to contribute is knitter Charlotte Park, from Stoke-on-Trent, who said she was amazed by the level of detail.

"Things from everyday life to actual battle scenes are depicted in the most creative ways possible, using yarn," she said.

"I think the thing that blew me away, being a crafter as well as a fan of military history, is the detail."

She was involved in creating some of the eight life-sized manakins which feature in this year's display - and in particular she worked on a depiction of Spitfire pilot Johnnie Johnson.

"I spent many hours down at the RAF Museum Midlands, researching the pieces I was going to make," she said.

"We're all very fastidious about getting our detail right."

She knitted a pair of fighter pilot boots for the sculpture.

As well as the woollen scenes, the exhibition also includes a series of manakins, with knitted features and accessories

In all, she said there were about 300 knitters involved in the overall exhibition.

Ms Park said a lot of visitors had been moved by the display, and some had even remembered being at events such as street parties.

"It's an opportunity to come to Stoke, and see what's going on and really appreciate these amazing stories that the exhibition tells and also to appreciate the high skill that's gone into them," said Simon Drakeford, community and arts manager for Stoke Minster.

The Longest Yarn 2, which features everything from Buckingham Palace to Dunkirk evacuations, will be at Stoke Minster until 29 October.