Penguins get knitted jumpers to keep them warm after oil slicks

Little knitted jumpers are being used to prevent penguins caught in oil spills from getting ill while trying to clean their feathers.

A group of knitters based in care home in Teesside - calling themselves the Knitting Nannas - have been sending their creations to a penguin charity in Australia.

The woolly tops are used as a barrier to stop the birds swallowing toxic chemicals when they try to clean themselves after swimming through oil.

One of the Knitting Nannas, Joyce who is 94, explained that she has knitted jumpers for both her children but she had "never knit for a penguin" before.

When penguins get caught in oil they often need a clean

Phillip Island, south of Melbourne in Australia, is home to 40,000 penguins and preparation is ongoing to help look after them in the event of an oil spill.

Jumpers can be temporarily placed on an affected penguin until its feathers can be cleaned by rescue workers.

Thanking the Knitting Nannas, Rebecca Passlow from the Penguin Foundation- which is based there - said "generous knitters and groups from all around the world" have been making jumpers to help.

The Knitting Nannas sent their craftwork off to a penguin charity in Australia

Speaking to BBC News reporter Tom Burgess, care home activities coordinator Sharon Lewis said that she loves finding worthwhile projects for the knitting group.

"The residents love getting involved and using their lifelong skills to support others.

"It's always incredible to receive pictures of cute animals wearing their knitted items."

In the past, the nannas have also knitted blankets for baby rhinos, which were sent to a wild rhino sanctuary in South Africa.