Due to lockdown, a community group has joined together to knit a birthday tribute to the Tyne and Wear Metro.

To celebrate the networks 40th anniversary, the community has knitted a 12ft Metro Carriage.

More than 30 volunteers have worked on the knitted Metro, before a local artist, Kelly Sheridan, sewed the train together.

The knitted train can now be seen at Tynemouth Metro station in the art gallery.

“I knew that our knitters would love this challenge. They love to use their skills to support local efforts,” said Sarah, who set up the Whitley Bay based Knit and Natter group five years ago.

Customer Services Director, Huw Lewis, said: “This is a fantastic community project that celebrates Metro’s 40th year in a really fun and creative way.”

“Metro is part of  everyday life in the communities that it serves, so it’s great to see a local group coming together to showcase their talents, despite all of the challenges posed by lockdown. It stemmed from an idea from one of our Stakeholder Relations Officer’s who heard about Knit and Natter and thought it would be great if the group could work together to knit a train.

“Our iconic Metro train has been so carefully recreated in wool by a group of knitters who have  had to rely on meeting up over Zoom calls during the pandemic. My congratulations go to everyone involved in producing such a wonderful tribute to Metro’s proud heritage.

“It’s fitting that we have been able to display the finished knit in the gallery at Tynemouth station for people to be able to see it for themselves as they pass through.”

Kelly said: “One of the great things about this project is the community effort that went into it. Each panel is slightly different, showing the individuality of each knitter. Some contributors knitted, crocheted or French knitted meters and meters of black piping which became the rubber seals around the doors and windows.

“It’s been a great effort, bringing local people together in a creative way during lockdown.”

During the lockdown, the Knit and Natter group has been meeting up on zoom.

Local Knitting expert and owner of Ring-a-Rosie wool and crafts shop, Barbara Lowe, helped out by making the patterns and sending the wool to the volunteers.

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