A CHARITABLE Tesco worker with a talent for crochet is raising money for the Royal British Legion.

Gill Metson, 48 and from Braintree, works in the opticians at the Tesco store in Great Notley.

This year she decided to take it upon herself to raise money for the charity's Poppy Appeal by making 180 hand crocheted poppies to sell in store.

Mrs Metson said: "I have been doing it on and off since the summer so it has taken about three months.

"I only started crocheting last year and now I am a bit addicted.

"It is relaxing and I just love doing it."

Gill sold 60 on her first day in action and is hoping she can raise at least £200 in total after some generous donations from staff and customers at the store.

A spokesman for the Great Notley Tesco said: “We are very proud of Gillian, she has gone the extra mile and worked very hard to sew 150 poppies to raise money for the Royal British Legion."

The fundraising has been so successful so far that Gill is also hoping to make some more poppies to help bring in extra donation.

Jessica Walker, regional communications manager for Tesco said: “We have a long-standing history of support for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and have sold poppies in our stores since 2005.

"In the past, due to the generosity of customers and colleagues, Tesco stores have been one of the largest contributors to the Poppy Appeal’s and we’re looking forward to giving our full support again this year.”