People who live and work in Sefton are being invited to don their favourite Christmas jumpers to raise money for good causes in the borough.

Sefton 4 Good is again running its Jumpers 4 Good initiative on Thursday 21st December, when individuals, members of voluntary, community and faith groups and workers will be asked to wear their festive knitwear in return for a donation of at least £1.

Sefton 4 Good was established by Sefton CVS to make it easier for borough residents and businesses to support local good causes by giving their money, resources, time and skills.

Money raised is distributed via a grant scheme which is particularly aimed at smaller organisations, or collaborative projects that include small groups.

Jumpers 4 Good was staged for the first time last year when it received the enthusiastic support of organisations include Sefton Council, One Vision Housing, Sovini and Formby-based Victorian Plumbing.

Now organisers at Sefton 4 Good are hoping for an even bigger response to the 2017 event.

As an incentive to take part, people are being urged to tweet photos of themselves in their jumpers, with prizes on offer for the best knitwear, whether it be beautiful or ugly, tasteful or outrageous.

And organisers say that people without any festive knitwear can also get involved by decorating an ordinary jumper with old Christmas decorations including tinsel, baubles and holly.

Sefton 4 Good Co-ordinator, Mike Howlett, commented: “Christmas jumpers have become increasingly popular and no home or office is complete at this special time of year without a number of good - and not-so-good - examples of the genre.

“Our aim with Jumpers 4 Good is to harness people’s enthusiasm for this fancy festive item and encourage them to wear their knitwear with pride on 21st December.

“As well as displaying their fashion sense, participants will have the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping to raise funds to support the excellent work done by our local voluntary, community and faith groups,” added Mr Howlett.

* Participants can donate £1 upwards to Jumpers 4 Good by texting SEFT44 £1 to 70700. Photographs can be tweeted to @Sefton4Good or #jumpers4Good.