Portishead statues covered in knit-wear

The stunt is to raise money for the re-roofing of St Nicholas' Church

Residents of Portishead woke to find familiar statues dressed in woolly scarves, hats and garments.

Angels and statues at St Nicholas' and St Peter's churches were subjected to "yarn bombing", also known as guerrilla knitting.

The figures were adorned overnight by clergy and members of Portishead Church of England.

The stunt is part of an appeal to raise money for the re-roofing of St Nicholas' Church.

The Tenner a Tile Appeal, which began on Friday, is part of a wider campaign called Embrace the Future, to develop and repair both churches.

'Landmark building'

Fundraisers have already raised £275,000 of the £725,000 target.

The Reverend Andy Bryant, team rector, said: "The maintenance of St Nicholas' is vitally important to ensure the future of this landmark building.

"Its origin as the chapel of the former Nautical School means that as well as a parish church, it remains a living symbol of an important part of Portishead's history.

"We would not wish the building to suffer the same fate as many of the town's historic buildings which have now vanished forever.

"Moreover, we want our two churches to continue to be available to all the members of our town."

The National Nautical School, now part of the Fedden Village gated community, closed in 1983.