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Home town knits for inspirational Paralympian

Denise Appleton A postbox topper showing a knitted doll wearing a swimming cap and three medals around its neck. The cover is gold and has the words "Congratulations Poppy". Denise Appleton
The craft group said it had to update one doll as Poppy Maskill "was winning medals faster than we could knit them"

The home town of swimmer Poppy Maskill has welcomed her back from the Paralympics by creating postbox toppers marking her triumph.

The 19-year-old from Middlewich, Cheshire, won three golds and two silvers at the Paris games and set a new world record for the women's S14 100m butterfly.

Denise Appleton, from the Woolverine Ladies of Middlewich knitting and crochet group, said the swimmer was "an inspiration", especially to children.

"We just wanted to celebrate someone who has done something so good for the town," she told BBC Radio Stoke.

PA Media Poppy Maskill on the podium after winning the gold medal in the Women's 100m Butterfly She is wearing a gold medal and has a Great Britain tracksuit top on. She has long hair and is smiling at the camera. PA Media
Poppy Maskill said cheering crowds inspired her to win in Paris

Ms Appleton said getting the chance to go to the Paralympics was an "amazing" achievement in itself.

"But she got that first gold and everyone couldn't believe it and to do what she did after it is just unbelievable," she added.

Ms Appleton said they had to add two more medals onto one of the knitted dolls which was initially displayed with three medals.

"She was just ringing out medals faster than we could knit them," Ms Appleton said.

Denise Appleton Denise Appleton and her dog. Denise and the dog are wearing orange knitted hats. Denise is wearing a leopard-print dressing gown. Denise Appleton
Denise Appleton, a keen crafter, said making the toppers was a team effort by the group which meets weekly

The toppers have a range of designs, including of a crafted doll swimming and others featuring the Olympic rings.

Ms Appleton said they were now working on one depicting the swimmer with a flag after she was a flagbearer for Great Britain at the closing ceremony, alongside Matt Bush.

Maskill, who was making her Paralympic debut, finished the events with more medals than any other Team GB Paralympian.

Ms Appleton said the group enjoyed highlighting events and said their work was "basically graffiti with wool".

Denise Appleton Postbox topper showing a red post box with a knitted doll in a swimming position. The rest of the topper is blue, white and gold. Denise Appleton
Maskill's swimming success is highlighted by the colourful toppers

Ms Appleton said they wanted to highlight Maskill's success and impact in the "quite small" town.

"Her achievement is going to inspire everybody in the town, but especially the children," she said.

The swimmer, who trains in Alsager, previously told the BBC the support in the stadium had helped spur her on and her memorable highlights included breaking a world record.

Denise Appleton A postbox topper with the word Paris in black against a purple circle and the five Olympic rings below. Denise Appleton
The toppers are on post boxes around the swimmer's home town

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