A TEAM of knitters say they are "upset and dismayed" after a number of bollard cosies they knitted for Evesham's Asparagus festival disappeared in less than 24 hours.

For the past three years members of the Evesham Knitters have worked hard to prepare knitted and crocheted asparagus-shaped cosies to put over bollards around Evesham town centre to highlight various town causes and celebrations.

But knitter Hazel Townley said she believes the covers have been stolen.

"At 5.30am on May 16 a team of knitters and crocheters installed Evesham's third yarn bomb. The team, aged 14 to 82, have spent four months making 13 asparagus-shaped bollard cosies. We did this because we are proud of our area and it's asparagus tradition. We wanted to put a smile on people's faces as they walked up Bridge Street.

"However, in less than 24 hours they had all gone. All we are left with are a few scraps of yarn and cable ties as well as a miniature cosy we have made for our stand at Asparafest. We have been left dismayed and would like to know why they have been taken. We just wanted get involved with the Asparagus Festival and Voluntary Arts Week."

Mrs Townley said this isn't the first time their cosies have been taken.

"Two years ago we knitted bee-themed cosies for the town to highlight the plight of bumble bees. A few of those were taken. This year we thought fastening them with cable ties would stop people taking them, but they took them all.

"I'm okay now but I was devastated when I found out they had been taken. We are all very disappointed. We don't know who did it, but it was probably just drunk people on a Saturday night. They're probably in someone's bin right now. It's so sad. We put in so much work on these — each one is about 30 hours worth of work. It will certainly make us think twice about doing it again."

Angela Tidmarsh, tourism officer at Wychavon District Council, said: “We were very upset to hear about the theft of and damage to the asparagus cosies, which we thought were brilliant. We, along with Gus the Asparagus Man and the Asparagus Festival organisers, have sent our thanks to Evesham Knitters for their amazing efforts and for joining us in celebrating Asum gras — the best asparagus in the land.”