A GROUP of "yarn bombers" has capped off a year of dressing up Dorking's cockerel statue by decorating him for Christmas.
The metal structure on the A25/A24 roundabout was given a red hat and a white beard by the Knit and Knatter group during a "secret mission" at 11pm on Monday.
The group, which meets for weekly knitting sessions at the Fluff-A-Torium shop in West Street, had previously dressed up the landmark during the Olympics and for the Diamond Jubilee.
Clare Davies, who is part of Knit and Knatter and teaches knitting and crochet at the Fluff-A-Torium, told the Advertiser the group wanted to "spread some Christmas cheer and make Dorking laugh".
She said: "At first we wanted to make some reindeer antlers for him but that would have required wire and we didn't want to damage him.
"But I think the red hat and beard really suits him.
"It took about ten of us three weeks to knit all the fabric and then I spent the last few days stitching it all up.
"Looking at it, I think it has been worth the effort."
The "guerrilla knitters" decked the statue in red, white and blue scarves and hats in May in preparation for the Jubilee weekend and with a gold medal in July for the Olympic Games.
Mrs Davies said: "We dress in black and under the cover of the night we take our ladders and our scissors.
"It isn't that dark at the roundabout due to the streetlights and the first time we did it we were caught by the police.
"The officer had no idea what to do about it and just left us to it.
"The council and the police are really supportive about what we are trying to do, which is bring a smile to Dorking.
"It is a £2,500 fine to go on the roundabout and we have never been charged."
When asked what Knit and Knatter had in mind for their next project, Mrs Davies said: "If I told you that I would have to kill you.
"There is some talk about doing something for Easter time but I am keeping tight-lipped about our movements."
Councillor Chris Townsend, leader of the council, said: "We're not planning to take the decorations down.
"It's great to see the community getting into the festive spirit, and the cockerel's tasteful decorations complement the town's spectacular Christmas lights and fantastic decorations put up by local businesses."
