THE Women’s Rugby World Cup is knitting Exeter’s communities together, and the Lord Mayor says the whole city is getting on board.

The creative talents of crocheters and knitters from across the city and beyond are being showcased in a display to celebrate Exeter’s role in the tournament.

Exeter Chiefs’ Sandy Park ground is hosting seven games including two of the quarter-finals.

Now rugby-themed yarn art, including metres of bunting and red roses, has gone up around the Guildhall and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, all as part of a nationwide Red Roses Yarn Art initiative from England Rugby.

Making pieces for the displays started earlier this summer, involving individuals and community groups, including residents from Exeter’s extra care home, Edwards Court.

Lord Mayor Cllr Anne Jobson (Con, St Loyes) officially unveiled the yarn art and said: “This is the most wonderful opportunity to raise the profile of Exeter at what is a fantastic sporting event.”

Council leader Phil Bialyk (Lab, Exwick) added: “We are an international city and we should be proud that people are coming into the city to spend their money in our businesses.

“This is a big opportunity. Our mission is to make Exeter a great place to come and visit.”

Also there for the launch was Exeter wheelchair athlete Lexi Chambers, who delivered the match whistle for the opening game of the tournament in Sunderland while tackling 10 ultramarathons in 10 days for the ChildFund Rugby charity.

Ms Chambers already holds five world records for feats of endurance in her non-sports wheelchair and next year plans to complete 5,000km across America.

She said the World Cup could leave an important legacy for Exeter and for women’s sport.

She said: “You can already see the excitement around women’s rugby. You can see that the grounds are getting fuller, and more people are paying attention.

“When I first started watching the Chiefs about four years ago there were about 300 people in the crowd. Now there’s an average of 1,500 to 2,000. I think after this, that could easily double.

“Hopefully this will bring more women into rugby.”