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Charles and Camilla topper gets Halloween makeover

PA Media/Studley Stitchers Crochet version of King Charles and Camilla with recycled version of them as Dracula and bridePA Media/Studley Stitchers
Crocheters in Warwickshire have recycled a knitted version of King Charles and Queen Camilla into ones of Dracula and his bride
  • Crocheters have been producing Halloween-theme post box toppers across the country
  • In Warwickshire, an earlier creation featuring King Charles and Queen Camilla has been turned into Dracula and his bride
  • Others feature bats, witches and giant spiders
  • The toppers are getting a lot of positive reactions, their creators say

A postbox topper of King Charles and Queen Camilla has been given a spooky makeover as crocheters embrace the Halloween spirit.

It has been recycled from one used for the king's coronation, and is one of seven themed toppers created to celebrate 31 October.

"We made Camilla and Charles, which were crocheted for his Coronation," Jan Platt, from the Warwickshire group, said.

"They are now Dracula and his bride."

The Studley Stitchers group has also created bats, witches and giant spiders to adorn post boxes in the village.

"We made a Little Red Riding Hood topper - the wolf is hiding behind a tree and he's about to pounce," Ms Platt added.

PA Media/Studley Stitchers Post box topper showing the wolf from Red Riding HoodPA Media/Studley Stitchers
Another of the Studley Stitchers toppers features the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood

The 66-year-old said one of the trickiest parts was preventing the figures from falling over.

"We've got various methods - some have skewers down them," she said.

"We have so many comments from people around the village and they help to cheer everyone up."

PA Media/Sarah Simpson Post box topper of characters from Hocus Pocus filmPA Media/Sarah Simpson
Sarah Simpson produced a Kent post box toppers with a theme from one of her favourite movies, Hocus Pocus

Elsewhere, Disney fan Sarah Simpson said she wanted to use Halloween to recreate characters from one of her favourite movies, the 1993 film Hocus Pocus.

Miniature versions of the three main characters, the Sanderson Sisters - Winifred, Sarah and Mary - adorn a post box in King's Hill, Kent, complete with a bubbling cauldron.

The group were lit up at night through use of waterproof LED lights on a timer and use of special wool, Ms Simpson said.

"Some of the yarn used on the cauldron and the black flame candle is glow-in-the-dark yarn, which generates during the day, so it helps the items glow at night," she said.

PA Media/Brenda Fowler Trick or Treat post box topperPA Media/Brenda Fowler
Brenda Fowler, from Chessington, said people in the area enjoy seeing the toppers in her area

In Chessington, south-west London, Brenda Fowler produced a topper with the words "Trick or Treat" on it and knitted figures including a mummy and a black cat.

"I make toppers throughout the year and so many people offer me wool - I've got stacks," she said.

"It's amazing how many people comment on them and enjoy the fact that they're there."

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