The square in Castletown was hit by heavy bombing recently, with more to come.

Fortunately this was bombing of the yarn variety, nothing was damaged, in fact the ancient market square was reinvigorated by random splashes of vivid colour.

Overnight on July 22 to 23, a team of 15, aged from eight to the mid-70s, furtively set about the task of hanging knitted segments and winding wool around features and street furniture in the square.

They started at 11pm and by 1.30am were satisfied their work was done. ’I woke up feeling sick,’ said one yarn bomber, who wishes to remain anonymous. ’What if no one liked it?’

The idea emerged from a knitting group that meets at the town’s library on Fridays and has been months in the making. The project is to raise awareness of mental health issues. ’It will get people talking and if people walk through the square and it makes them smile that’s greatâ?¦ colour impacts us greatly.

’Mental health problems are everywhere, we are linked to a Victorian attitude if there is anything wrong with someone we tend to put them away. There is a fear of talking about it but that makes it worse, and if one person steps out and talks about it, others will too and they will help each other.

’We talk about having a cold or a sore foot, but not mental health but if you do it becomes acceptable and people will help others so they are not left at home feeling scared or isolated. The issue is so overlooked and there’s a ripple effect, it spreads to the whole family and friends.’

Commissioners’ chairman Colin Leather said: ’It’s a great idea. It has created huge interest. I’ve got no problem with it so long as they do not keep it up for too long and it gets all ragged and tatty. It’s got tongues wagging.’

The undercover knitters promised regular vigilance to keep it looking smart, which may be a woolly response, but it’s a good yarn.