RANGERS at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest near Ringwood are asking for help to keep the Gruffalo’s Child snug and warm this winter.

They are inviting everyone to join them in knitting a huge scarf. The giant wooden sculptures of the Gruffalo’s Child and the Gruffalo have proved popular with visitors and this year the park is planning lots more Gruffalo surprises.

Knitting needles and wool are available from the visitor centre.

“Families across the country love Julia Donaldson’s ever-popular storybooks. They all know that the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warning and bravely tiptoes out into the snow in search of the big bad mouse,” said countryside interpretation ranger Katie Davies.

“We want to help her on her travels. It can get very cold in our woods. We all have scarves to keep us warm so we thought we should create a giant scarf to keep her warm too – but we really need everyone’s help to get it finished before it snows.

“We’ve put knitting needles and wool in the Visitor Centre and we’d love as many visitors as possible to knit us a square or two, or you could knit one at home and bring it in. Just add your section to the end of her scarf and between us we will make sure the Gruffalo’s Child stays safe and warm this winter.”

Contributions should be around 10cm wide. Any squares that cannot be used in the scarf will be donated to be made into dog blankets at Battersea Dogs Home.

For more information go to moors-valley.co.uk or call 01425 470721.