Crafty school girl rewarded after hand made poppies raise charity cash

An enterprising school girl used her crocheting skills to create hand-made remembrance poppies.

Elena Opacic made 150 of the bespoke woollen poppies to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

The Highfield Preparatory School pupil mastered the craft over the summer with the help of her aunt.

She wrote to the legion asking permission to sell home-made poppies for the annual appeal. The legion agreed and sent collection boxes to Highfield.

Headteacher Annie Lee explained that the 11-year-old's poppies were on sale at the school in West Road. They sold out in two days, raising £270.

Ms Lee said: "She's fantastic. She's a lovely girl who contributes a great deal and is very humble about what she's achieved.

Elena was rewarded for her achievement and presented with a certificate and a special poppy necklace at an assembly on Monday.