Volunteer appeal to knit diseases

Visitors to the event will be able to knit their own virus

Knitters are being urged to make wool versions of diseases including tuberculosis and cholera.

The unusual request is part of the Manchester Science Festival so the craft versions can be used to show how micro-organisms behave.

Volunteers are needed to make the finished articles to encourage visitors to knit their own.

Patterns for viruses and bacteria, including the common cold, are being published for the knitters.

The science festival runs from 24 October to 1 November with events across Greater Manchester.

'Serious point'

Microbiologists will be at the knitting event at Touchstones in Rochdale on Saturday 30 October.

Natalie Ireland, Manchester Science Festival director, said: "Normally we wouldn't want to encourage micro-organisms like these to multiply and spread - but in this instance it's all for a good cause.

"Apart from the fun of knitting there is a serious point to the event, which is to get people interested in biological sciences and to help them understand how to reduce their risk of infection."

To encourage the knitters to get busy, patterns for tuberculosis, cholera, salmonella, and the common cold are on the Manchester Science Festival website to download.