For Daphne is a champion knitter who enjoys the craft so much she rises at 5.40am, knitting away before breakfast when she is still in her night gown.

Daphne has arthritis in her hands but the pain she suffers has not dampened her enthusiasm for knitting which has lasted 72 years since the day she first took up a pair of needles aged just five.

Daphne has put her skills to good use and for the past three years has knitted box-loads of children's clothes for the Shoe Box Appeal run by Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill Lions Clubs to help poor families living in and around Belarus, an area badly affected by the Chernobyl nuclear explosion 20 years ago.

This year alone, Daphne has made 30 jumpers and cardigans, 20 bobble hats, 20 pairs of mittens and countless baby booties.

Tony, who is the club's president, is full of admiration for Daphne's dedication and enthusiasm.

He said: "She is riddled with arthritis but she's knitted 50 or 60 items for us this year and she's already started knitting for next year's appeal."

Read the full story in the Mid Sussex Times