Barbara Hodgkinson from the group said Hannah’s in the Mill, Bradford Road, was selling the cute chicks for the first time this year and had had a phenomenal response.

“The enthusiasm of the management and staff has resulted in outstanding sales, requiring almost daily visits to replenish stocks,” said Barbara.

“The volunteers do like the deliveries there as it gives them an opportunity to take a break and enjoy a lovely coffee and a cake!”

The support group has been making and selling chicks for a number of years and each year demand grows. Now they sell around 3,000.

“It is an amazing feat only achieved with an army of backroom helpers,” said Barbara. “It takes about an hour to make one chicken, so to produce them in this quantity means burning a lot of midnight oil, but they are spurred on by the knowledge that money raised will be of real benefit to patients cared for by the hospice.”

Chicks makers include St Saviour’s Craft Group and staff at Hightown Junior and Infant School and they are sold at hairdressers, beauty salons, leisure centres and pubs as well as Batley Resource Centre, hospice shops in Heckmondwike, Batley and Dewsbury and Healds Hall Hotel in Liversedge, where the support group meets.

Anyone who wants to join, help with making or selling chicks or donate materials should contact Margaret on 01422 374570 or Barbara on 01924 474950.