A stitch in time has saved a Crossflatts pensioner the use of his hands - and worshippers' knees.

For the past 17 years Walter Falkingham has spent hours every day cross-stitching colourful kneelers for churches and friends.

After retiring from Castlefields Mill in Crossflatts with arthritis in both hands his specialist advised him to take up a hobby to keep his fingers on the move.

"Then someone bought me a cross-stitching kit for Christmas and it went from there," said Mr Falkingham.

Since then he has created altar kneelers for All Saints Church in Bingley where he worships, and a cushion for the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David Smith, which he uses when he visits the church.

His kneelers are also used in St Aidan's church in Crossflatts, where he was christened, and at Linton Hospital Chapel where he used to play the organ. For each one he creates his own design and they include a Bradford City kneeler emblazoned with the team's logo in the Bantams' colours of claret and amber.

Each single kneeler takes 10,902 stitches and Mr Falkingham said it has definitely helped keep his fingers nimble.

"I have no problems whatsoever now and get so much pleasure out of it," he said.

And his favourite was one for landlord Stephen Dickson of his local The Royal in Keighley Road.

"He loves a game of dominoes so I put them around the edge with the numbers matching up as you would play the game," he said.

Mr Dickson said: "It's brilliant. He put the full pack of dominoes on it - it must have taken him ages."