BISHOPS Meadow petrol station in Brecon has helped an elderly woman raise £1,000 for local charities by selling her knitted decorations and tea cosies in the run-up to Christmas.

Altogether Elizabeth Hughes, who is 83 and lives in Mountain Ash, has raised £1,000 which she will be donating to the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team and the Wales Air Ambulance.

Mrs Hughes started knitting her creations two years ago after she broke her leg and was unable to walk and needed something to keep her occupied.

Elizabeth’s son John, who lives in Cradoc, spoke to Dawn Sweeney who runs the Bishop Meadow filling station and she agreed to sell the knick-knacks to customers.

Mr Hughes said his mother’s knitted items have proved very popular with customers and one woman recently bought some of them to decorate the Christmas tree in her local church.

Mr Hughes said his mum is now receiving orders for her knitting and wants to share the money she has raised between the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team and Wales Air Ambulance because “both are vital services for the beautiful area that we live in”.

He added: “Mam was also sad to hear that the mountain rescue depot (in Dowlais) had burnt down recently, ruining a lot of their equipment. Mam is also aware that they rely on volunteers. People who give up their time for free, for a very important job.”