A HEAVENLY host of exquisite hand-knitted angels will land in villages across Saddleworth this week.

The two thousand tiny delights, aimed at bringing festive cheer and good wishes to the community, will be scattered around villages for locals and visitors to pick up and take home.

Initially, the kind-hearted organisers behind the unique scheme limited distribution of the angels to around Uppermill last year.

But after a massive appreciative response to their efforts on social media, support for this year’s initiative has become so popular the angels, which each carry a distinctive message, will now be found in other locations across even more villages.

Organised by unassuming Rev Gary Ridley, Methodist minister for Saddleworth and District, and his wife Debbie, the scheme is hosted by Churches Together in Saddleworth.

The couple have been working with special coordinators from each church arranging a distribution programme which will now see the angels pop up across a wider area.

Each angel has been hand-knitted by various groups associated with the churches, and comes in a different colour with its own unique message.

The messages include: “Give Love Away”, “Peace on Earth”, “God bless you”, “Bringing good news” and “Blessings be with you.”

The reserve side of the card reads: “Please take me, I’m free. Have a happy Christmas. From Churches Together in Saddleworth” and offers a link to the organisation.

Last year, delighted locals praised the scheme with many posting comments and pictures on Facebook.

One said: “I found this beautiful little angel on a wall in Uppermill. It is now sitting on my Christmas tree. Quite simply wonderful, thank you.”

Rev Ridley said: “Everyone around Uppermill appreciated the distribution of the Christmas Angels last year. Many of the angels found homes much farther afield too. The idea has really caught on.

“This year we are extending the scheme and we would urge everyone to take an Angel home with our warmest good wishes.

“They will be placed in locals shops, streets and other surprising spots.”

And dedicated teams of voluntary knitters have been busy putting finishing touches to the angels in readiness for their appearance in the villages.

One coordinator said: “The response by volunteers to knit fir the scheme has been overwhelming. The project has really touched a nerve in our communities. It’s very gratifying.”