The Olympic Games were rapidly approaching ten years ago this week and we reported how one woman chose to recreate her own woollen tribute to them in her front garden.

A passionate fan of knitting has turned her garden into a mini Olympic Stadium in tribute to the upcoming Games.

Sue Haggerty, of Howard Road in Walthamstow, has created tiny athletes out of wool who can be seen riding down the side of a hedge in a raft, preparing to hurdle a stretch of lawn and swimming in a pool as they compete for a place on the winners' podium near the front door.

And the patriotic mother-of-two has already stitched a Team GB athlete to the gold medalist's part of the podium.

The 48-year-old said: "I'm a big fan of the Olympics and I thought this would be a fun way to celebrate it.

"Lots of schoolchildren come past the house and they love it, I do it to make them smile. My boys think I'm crazy but they enjoy it too."

Ms Haggerty, who is a full-time carer for her 74-year-old mother, Maureen, only took up knitting three years ago to keep herself occupied, but has since created woollen versions of major public events and holidays.

"I don't knit jumpers and cardigans, but strange things like pirates and witches," she said.

"We had a graveyard last year for Halloween with ghosts. I don't draw or paint or anything, I just like doing this for some reason."

She also created knitted versions of Prince William and Kate Middleton when they tied the knot last April, and of the Queen and Prince Philip when they celebrated their Diamond Jubilee in June.

It takes a day to create one figure and Ms Haggerty has worked on the Olympics figures since Christmas to complete them in time.

Her niece, Lynne McCauley, of Russell Road in Chingford, said: "I think it's brilliant, it's amazing. All the kids stop outside to look at the displays, they really enjoy it."

But when the Games finish all the soft toys will join the royals, pirates, witches and Father Christmases in boxes in the loft.

"I haven't thought of selling them, but I suppose I could make some money," Ms Haggerty said.

"I don't know if I will though as it's nice to get the witches out every Halloween."