Christmas has come early in a seaside town as 34 post boxes across the town have been dressed in festive knitting.

A group of 20 women is behind the effort, carrying on a coastal tradition that has been running since 2015.

The Herne Bay Cosy Crew had previously organised the Christmas spectacle, but it disbanded earlier this year.

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Sheila Wilson, who is a member of the new group, says every post box in the town has been decorated.

"I wanted us to cover every post box in Herne Bay; so there's more this year than there ever was," she said.

"Some of the toppers can take months to make and others can take weeks; it just depends on how complex they are."

Ms Wilson says that the group will not be given a name or Facebook page "because it would spoil the magic".

The toppers, which were put up yesterday, will not be taken down until after Christmas.

"Every single one has a label wishing Herne Bay a merry Christmas from the maker," Ms Wilson added.

However, one of the toppers at the junction of Albany Drive and Sea Street has been vandalised and another outside Sea Street Post Office has been snatched.

Last year, the knitters had similar problems as six of the decorations were damaged or stolen.