Southend and Westcliff Community Centre members Annie Lewis, 94, and Phyllis Jacobs, 84, have knitted over 800 poppies to mark Armistice Day, raising over £2,000 for the British Legion and local Jewish Care services.

To mark their contribution, a cele-bratory tea was held at which they were praised for their efforts.

Both women reside in independent living apartments in Jewish Care's Shebson Lodge, which is above the community centre.

"The amount we've raised is fantastic," Mrs Lewis said. "I enjoyed knitting the poppies and if I thought next year we could have the same success, I would start again now."

Her fellow knitter added: "It was hard work but it was worth it. I did it with a good heart."

Community centre support worker Sue Haswell had come up with the idea. "We were looking for a project to celebrate Armistice Day and discovered a pattern for a knitted poppy," she explained. "We decided to make this a one-year project to mark the First World War centenary and wanted to see how many we could make.

"I have been overwhelmed by the commitment of these ladies. I would also like to thank those who generously bought our poppies."