Injured but still knitting

11:32am Friday 12th October 2007

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OLIVE Allsup's life-size woolen dolls have become somewhat of an institution in Bromyard, but a painful wrist injury has jeopardised the completion of her latest model.

The dolls have been a feature of the Bromyard window competition for the last 11 years, with a local figure being honoured by Olive's knitting skills.

However, this year's grand unveiling at Olive's Wool Shop, in the High Street, may have to wait after 69-year-old Olive injured her wrist while gardening.

She said: "It's very painful to keep knitting, but I'm doing my best. I will try and finish by the competition."

Olive always keeps the subject of her latest doll a secret, but she can reveal a few teasing facts.

"It is a man this year, obviously from Bromyard, and the clothes are quite complicated so they're taking me a while. I always choose someone who makes people smile," she said. "Because it's a surprise who I do each year, I've had people just walking down the street and suddenly notice themselves in the window."

The competition judging takes place on November 24 and Olive is keen to keep up the impressive shop display that locals are used to seeing.