SHOPKEEPERS are hoping to knit Northwich together as they craft a day of fun for shoppers.

Crafty Stitches, in Witton Street, is holding its second Yarn Shop Day on May 2 in a bid to bring people into the town centre to enjoy the experience of a real shop.

Louise Hough, from the shop, said: "We want to encourage people to come into store.

"People buy a lot online but the whole principle behind Yarn Shop Day is to get people to shop in a shop – come in and see what experience you get.

"It's definitely about fun and trying to encourage lots of people to come and sit with us for the day and have tea, coffee and cake.

"Last year we had people literally stopping in the street and saying 'what's going on? Can I have a go?' – we say if you can knit then join in and if you can't then come and have a go."

Crafty Stitches, which specialises in knitting and craft supplies, will hold workshops, a crochet-along and offer prizes to shoppers that spend £10 and more.

There are more than 100 prizes available ranging in value from £6 to £70.

Staff are also working on a knitted surprise for this year after impressing shoppers with a knitted hanging basket in Witton Street in 2014.

Louise said the initiative is also important in the light of changes to car parks in the town centre.

"The way I look at it is you've got to be positive," she said.

"If you try one car park at one time of day and another at another time then there are spaces.

"We have to get positivity out there and hopefully Yarn Shop Day will do that."