A HAMPSHIRE pensioner spent more than 60 hours making a quilt dedicated to one of the nation's most popular soap operas - and she's never even watched the programme.

The unusual quilt depicts the River Thames winding through London and is signed by actors from EastEnders including Shane Ritchie and former Queen Vic landlady Barbara Windsor.

The patchwork is being auctioned in aid of Naomi House Hospice in Sutton Scotney which looks after seriously ill children and their families.

Gay Jenkins, 72, of Romsey, who designed and made the quilt is a member of the Friends of Naomi House Hospice.

She was persuaded to give up her time and material by fellow fundraisers whose contacts at the BBC promised to get the quilt autographed.

"I can't stand the show and have never watched it in my life," said Mrs Jenkins.

"It's not my scene so I just watched the credits at the end to get an idea of the picture.

"I didn't mind my work being written on because it's all for a good cause.

"The hospice does a brilliant job not only with the children but also their parents and siblings. Everybody is very happy there, it's a wonderful place," she added.

Fundraising co-ordinator at Naomi House, Jacqui Quantrill said: "The quilt has a reserve price of £300. It's very unusual, involved a lot of work and is attracting a lot of interest."

Naomi House closed the bidding for the quilt, which was on view in the window of the charity's new Winchester shop in St George's Street, yesterday evening.