Festive postbox toppers deliver Christmas cheer in the West

This topper was spotted in Netheravon

If you have been out to post a letter lately you might have noticed your postbox looking more festive - and cosy - than usual.

Christmas-themed crocheted postbox toppers have been popping up across villages, towns and cities ahead of the big day.

They feature Santas, reindeer, snowmen and Christmas trees. You name it - anything festive.

Here is a selection of some of this year's woolly toppers across the West.

There has been a surge in the popularity of postbox toppers - the knitted or crocheted decorations that sit on top of postboxes

These knitted carol singers are on a postbox in Taunton

Amie Nelmes, from Stratton, Gloucestershire, learnt to crochet during the coronavirus lockdown, initially, she said, to keep her sane.

She started by making a variety of creations, such as toys and accessories, for the social media "Random Acts of Crochet Kindness" scheme; making things and leaving them in her local area for strangers to find and keep.

Amie Nelmes has created a topper for every month this year

Amie Nelmes says she learnt to crochet during the covid lockdown

Her first topper was on a postbox near a school in Stratton, Cirencester.

"It was a big hit," said Mrs Nelmes, "I had loads of responses thanking me and the children said it was brilliant."

A knitted tractor sits on top of Wiveliscombe Square post box

"I do it for other people now," said Amie Nelmes, who has been creating toppers for a variety of occasions over the last year

This topper can be enjoyed by patients at Bath's Royal United Hospital

For the past year she has made a topper every month on a relevant theme, such as the King's Coronation in May.

"I do it for other people now. I'm happy if someone says 'It brought a smile to my face' and I can think, I've done that. I love it," she added.

The characters from the film "The Snowman" were knitted for this topper in Downend, Bristol

The crocheted creations often feature on social media

The festive toppers can be spied on postboxes across the West - this one is in Longwell Green

• Local cat honoured with post-box topper

• West Country crafters get ready for the Jubilee

• Woolly postbox toppers appear for Queen's jubilee

Shoppers in Tewkesbury have been enjoying this festive topper

A knitted topper dedicated to the cast of family favourite BBC sitcom 'Ghosts'