BIBLICAL stories captured in a range of knitted scenes have gone on display in a North-East church.

The collection, featuring 33 scenes, ranging from the Creation to the Last Supper, is at Blackhall Methodist Church, Middle Street, until today.

The knitted story of the Bible was created by members and friends of St George’s Church, in Park Road, Hartlepool, from February to August last year.

The Reverend Val Towler, of the United Reformed Church congregation in Hartlepool, said: “A tutor student of mine training for the ministry mentioned she had a friend who had found a pattern and she was going to knit the Last Supper.

“It sounded like a good idea and we decided to knit the rest of the Easter scenes. Then somebody said, ‘Why not do the whole Bible?’ “I then selected what I thought were the key stories to tell from the beginning to end.”

Rev Towler said a core of six to eight knitters did most of the scenes, while more than 60 people from the congregation and friends helped.

She said: “Those who could not knit sewed items, such as Abraham and Sarah’s tent and the table cloth for the Last Supper.

“The men got involved with woodwork and made things like tables and stables.”

The collection includes Noah’s Ark, Jacob’s ladder to heaven, Moses in the bullrushes, Samson and Delilah, David and Goliath and Jonah and the Whale and many more stories.

Rev Towler said she had received emails from around the world from other churches seeking advice on how to create their own knitted versions of Biblical stories.

Blackhall Methodist Church Deacon Jenny Heath said: “It is absolutely incredible.

I was amazed when it arrived and was set up.”

The exhibition, which is on its first outing from St George’s Church, will be open from 10am to 3pm today.

Admission is free, with a booklet explaining the exhibition on sale for £1.