AN APPEAL for knitters to brush off their needles and wool has been issued by a theatre preparing for its upcoming pantomime.

Volunteers at Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal have already started knitting rosy red and green apples for this year's production of Snow White.

The historic theatre is appealing for people to knit apples that can be used during the 60 performances of their celebrated festive production, which takes place from Saturday, December 3 until Sunday, January 8.

The initiative follows a now well-established tradition of knitting campaigns connected to the pantomime. In 2011, more than 1,000 bananas were knitted for The Adventures of Sinbad and the following year nearly 3,000 white snowball pompoms were amassed for Babes in the Wood.

Last year around 2,500 leaves were knitted to adorn a huge decorative beanstalk for Jack and the Beanstalk.

“One of the great things about our pantomime is that it involves the whole community,” said Clare Allen, theatre chief executive and director of Snow White. “People tend to think of pantomime as the domain of children but we find it popular with all age groups so our activities aim to make everyone part of the action.

”How the apples will actually be used in the show is of course top secret and all will be revealed when the curtain goes up."

There will be a trophy for the largest number of apples knitted by any one individual donated by Richmond’s CJ Lightfoot jewellers. Last year’s winner knitted 250 leaves.

Apple patterns are available to pick up in the box office or by visiting the panto page on the theatre’s website. Alternatively, people can make up their own designs and all colours and sizes are welcomed.

Finished apples can be handed in or posted to The Georgian Theatre Royal, Victoria Road, Richmond, DL10 4DW, by Monday, November 28.

Snow White runs at The Georgian Theatre Royal from Saturday 3 December until Sunday 8 January 2017.