One mum-of-two combines losing weight and helping premature babies.

Independent speech and language therapist Beth Lucas, 30, of Basin Road, Heybridge, runs Maldon Speech Therapy during the day.

By night she crochets minuscule hats and cardigans for PreemiesUK to clothe premature babies.

Beth said: “Being a speech therapist I work with children who were premature.

“I’m very lucky to have two healthy children born full term, but I work with a lot of poorly children.

“Shops don’t make tiny clothes, hospitals rely on us to make these things.”

Her crochet work does not just help the babies.

She said: “I used to be the coolest kid at the party but now I’m sitting knitting.

“It stops me eating chocolate in the evenings, so I’m losing weight and feeling doubly good because I’m helping poorly babies.”