A NEW traders' group in Hoyland is planning to inject some extra festive spirit into the area this year by festooning the town with knitted bunting and pom-poms.

We Are Hoyland has been formed from around ten small businesses in the centre of Hoyland and has got backing from Barnsley Council for the idea which will coincide with Christmas lights switch on celebrations.

The group is also planning its own Christmas window displays.

The big community knitting plan has already been supported by Barnsley Council's local ward alliance, which has offered some funding, and residents have taken up their knitting needles to start work on the bunting.

Charlotte Oughton, who runs the Allotment Deli in the Hoyland Centre, said We Are Hoyland held its first meeting around three weeks ago, with the idea of generating more support for the town's central shopping area.

"We need help from everyone to get knitting for us, but it is going really, really well. We started a small business group to try to get the life and love back into Hoyland and make it a more pleasing place to visit.

"All the businesses are getting together to try to do their bit and everyone will have a Christmas window display. We have just been granted some money from the council for the supply of wool and Doreen's wool shop has donated a lot of yarn. "

Knitting instructions for bunting with a template for constructing wool pom-poms are available from the library in Hoyland centre, Doreen's wool shop, the Allotment Deli, and Hoyland Tesco.

All bunting and pom poms need to be handed in by November 20 to Hoyland library or the Allotment Deli.