A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER from Prestbury is doing her bit to warm the spirits of British soldiers.

The 90-year-old, who lives at Bay Tree Court in the village High Street, has decided to knit woollen blankets to send to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Irene, who has seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, made blankets for soldiers during World War II back when she was in her 20s.

And she said British soldiers were in greater need of support now than they were more than half a century ago.

"To me it's even more important now," she said. "Our soldiers are freezing cold out there and they need as many layers as they can get.

"I never thought I'd be doing this at the age of 90. But it seemed like a good idea. I'm going to carry on doing it as long as our soldiers are out there."

Mrs Lee is calling on people to donate spare balls of double knitting wool to help her make more blankets.

Any donations can be sent to Irene at Bay Tree Court, High Street, Prestbury, Cheltenham, Glos GL52 3AU.