Chick this out!

‘I make about four or five postbox toppers a year,’ says Essex-based crafter, Karen.

‘Christmas, autumn, spring, summer, and I did one for the Queen’s jubilee. Also when she passed away and for King Charles’ coronation.’

Crafting postbox toppers is now something of a phenomenon across the whole of the UK and Karen, who crocheted the creation pictured, is one of a group of around four crafters who make toppers for postboxes in the Benfleet area.

‘Occasionally I follow a pattern, sometimes I will make it up as I go along,’ she says. ‘And you can always find ideas online if you do your research.’

Karen, who learned to knit as a child, taught herself to crochet about 14 years ago and now crochets all of her toppers.

‘Each topper is around 50-60 hours of work,’ she says. ‘I do bits in the evening and produce one every couple of months.

‘Our local MP, Dame Rebecca Harris, posted my Easter topper on her social media recently, which was quite nice as it raises awareness and encourages people to look after them.

‘I always put my toppers up at night and my hubby helps me. I don’t like to put them on during the day. I suppose I like the secrecy of it!’