A WATERSIDE pensioner has donated a bumper batch of colourful and crazy handmade hats to her local Oxfam shop to raise money for their tsunami appeal.

Ruth Olden, 64, of Elm Crescent in Hythe, spent hours making the distinctive headwear and says that no two pieces are the same. The hats are now on sale at Oxfam in Hythe High Street and are being showcased in a special window display. Ruth is pictured on the right with Oxfam shop manager Val Thurgate.

Many of the hats have tassels at the back and are designed to be lightweight so that they do not spoil hairdos.

"The kids love them because of their bright colours and their crazy styles," said the creative pensioner. "Some are topless hats, some are headbands and some are full hats.

"They are London, New York-type gear because they are so beautiful and different."

Since Mrs Olden, a retired police communications operator, took the hobby up five years ago she has spent all her spare time making hundreds of hats.

"The pensioners in this country have these sort of creative skills and I thought I would put my artistic talents to good use to help the victims of the disaster," she added.