THE Olympic torch is on its way to Huddersfield.

But a knitting group have cast-off their own celebrations by creating a woolly Team GB.

The knitting circle at the Church of St Thomas, Thurstonland, have carefully crafted a selection of 18 different Olympians to mark the London 2012 event.

From cycling, fencing and hurdles to discus, tennis and archery, the collection features many of the sporting events being held in this year’s games.

It even includes a knitted version of the infamous Olympic rings.

But it’s not the first time the eight-strong group have got their needles out for a national event.

Last year, the ladies made national headlines by crafting a Royal Wedding scene, complete with a woolly Prince William – dubbed Prince Woolliam – a blushing Kate Middleton, and the entire Royal Family complete with the Queen’s corgis and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The dolls were donated to Thurstonland First School for the young pupils there to enjoy after the wedding.

The project came a month after the ladies completed a full depiction of the Last Supper to celebrate Easter.

Brenda Mellor, of the group, said: “It was our vicar Canon Reverend Sean Robertshaw who gave us the idea. He asked us jokingly to knit the Olympic team.

“Trying to get them to stand up has been the hardest bit.

“There were a lot of little bits and some of the ladies had knickers and bras to do, but the royal wedding was probably more fiddly with all the tiny buttons and beads.

“We all did a few figures each. It was quite interesting and nice to meet up, knit and have a natter.

“But we have told our vicar we don’t want any more of his ideas.”

Click here for a full gallery of the knitted Olympics

The knitting group – which was started three years ago – mainly knits hats and scarves for those in need.

It donates items for homeless people at Huddersfield’s Welcome Centre and also provides tiny knitwear for babies in Calderdale’s neonatal unit.

They also hold stalls and have raised more than £2,000 to date.

Most of its members – whose ages range from their early 60s to 81 years old – also belong to the church’s Mothers Union and meet every Wednesday afternoon to share patterns and wool.

The Olympians are currently on display in the church, where they will remain for the next few months.

Their future is as yet undecided.

Brenda added: “We will be leaving them in the church for a while. We really don’t know where they will be going yet.

“We all have arthritis but this helps keep our fingers going and gives us an interest.”