After hearing of the shortage, Wye Needlecraft in Bakewell produced a leaflet guide on how to knit for premature babies.

And now they have delivered over 60 garments for early arrivals to four hospitals in our area.

Owner Dean Goodings said: "We met this lovely lady at one of the hospitals with her newborn son who weighed only about three pounds.

"She was so happy and said she'd had nothing to fit him properly before. It came across to us very strongly how much this is needed."

The brother of Wye Needlecraft shopworker Daphne Cox works in a hospital, and had mentioned the need for premature baby clothing to her.

Dean said: "Daphne brought the idea back to us and from then on it's absolutely snowballed."

A display was put up to get customers involved, and related links, guides and features were placed on the shop's website.

Dean said: "The hospitals say they just can't deal with people ringing them – they're simply too busy – so we have said for them to let us co-ordinate it."

Dean and Daphne visited neo-natal wards at hospitals in Chesterfield and Sheffield with boxes of clothes this week.

Daphne said: "It's really been quite overwhelming. We've had such a great response from knitters and new parents.

"It's been unbelievable how many people have sent garments in. If it keeps going we might start sending clothes further afield."

For information on how to knit for premature babies, click here.