A knitting group has been forced to cover the private parts of dolls in the club window following complaints

The naked figures were hand-made by the weekly knitters at The Hive café and haberdashery in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

They were part of the window display which was created to raise money for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

The five knitted creations by the ''mature ladies'' show a policeman, vicar, Rastafarian, as well as a woman with pearls and a man with a beard.

But a woman complained about the figures, saying she did not want her grandchildren ''looking at genitals on their way to school''.

The cafe has now covered the figures' 'genitals' with small placards informing passers-by of the work Air Ambulance do.

A campaign has even been started by locals to 'Save The Hive Five'.

The complainant wrote on social media: “Just wondering about the thought process of the Hive Shepton in displaying characters with their genitals on display.

"All this with two schools around the corner.”

Owner of the Hive Mike Alford said: "I told her I totally understood where she was coming from, but it is not meant to be offensive and I don't think it is offensive.

"I mean if you took your kids out to Bath for the Roman Baths, there are more anatomical pictures of men and ladies actual parts - these are knitted.

"But we decided to sensor the figures, either way it has caused a lot of people to come in and donate to the Air Ambulance, and it's nice to have a bit of banter.

"It hasn't been negative, it's all just laughs and tongue and cheek - life is too serious and it's good to have a laugh."

The café has been organising community knitting events for around four years.

There is a particular group of ''mature ladies'' who meet to help one another with knitting and crochet - and Mike says it was their idea to 'have a bit of fun'.

Mike says the ladies have put "a lot of work" into the display, and explains: "It is the first window they put in for this year, and it has caused a bit of a stir amongst a couple of people but for one figure it takes about one week.

"It takes a while to do and they are not easy at all.

"On some retrospect, we've made about £100 for the charity just today with people trotting in.

"The ladies have organised all this for the Air Ambulance. They do things like childrens' wear, sales events, community bits and other avenues to raise awareness."

This is the first window display of the year, and there will be three others throughout 2024 - with the theme for the next display being 'Glastonbury Festival'.

Mike added he is "excited" but a bit nervous for the next window display.

Find out more about The Hive, which has been operating in the town for 35 years, here: https://www.facebook.com/thesheptonhive/

To donate visit https://www.dsairambulance.org.uk/donate/donate-appeal.