Newsagent Julie Bruce reckons she’s the fastest knitter in the West.

Julie, 56, who runs Lower Hopton News in Calder Road, Lower Hopton, Mirfield, has taken on a knotty challenge – knitting a million stitches in March.

Mum-of-one Julie is furiously knitting simple blankets for hospitals to make the deadline of midnight on Thursday.

Julie did a lot of fundraising last year for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance but her latest challenge came about after a donation of wool from a man whose wife died at Kirkwood Hospice.

The man donated his wife’s “stash” of wool on condition Julie raise money for the hospice.

Julie Bruce of Lower Hopton News, attempting to knit a million stitches for charity.

Julie came home with her car boot full of wool and set to work knitting baby blankets and bonding squares for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

She has also made lap blankets for wheelchair users which she hopes to sell in exchange for a donation to the hospice.

Julie, who was taught to knit by her grandmother at the age of five, reckons she can hit speeds of up to 120 stitches a minute.

She’s asked customers at the shop to sponsor her and hopes to raise £400 for the hospice.

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“I have always knitted and I find it relaxing and enjoyable,” said Julie, who is married to Adrian, 56, and has a son Chris, 25.

“I am not very athletic so running or cycling is out but I can knit and if I can help a charity by doing something I enjoy that’s great.

“There’s not much call for knitting these days but I’d rather do something useful on a night than being glued to my iPad playing silly games.”

To support Julie call into the shop or ring 01924 493329.

Julie Bruce of Lower Hopton News, attempting to knit a million stitches for charity, son Chris helps in the count.