HE MAKES an 80-mile round trip to sing and crochet in the bus station for the poor and now Father Francis Maple is on the lookout for more wool.

The 77-year-old priest and friar is a familiar site in the bus interchange – he’s often seen crocheting slippers, coats and scarves which he sells for a variety of good causes.

Also occasionally seen at the Cockhedge Centre, Father Francis makes an 80-mile round trip to travel to Warrington from Pantasaph Friary in Holywell and has been doing it across the North West since 1975.

He said: “Every Thursday I am free I like to take the day off and sing somewhere in the North West for the starving children in the world.

“A love of my life is crocheting – I am as happy as a sand boy if I have a crochet needle in my hand.

“I always appreciate gifts of wool – I am a crochetholic and get through a tremendous amount of wool.

“I crochet slippers, coats and scarves and the money made from them goes to feed the starving in the world.

“It’s a long way to go – I’ve got a van that I go around in.

“I think on the whole the reaction is very favourable.

“A man came to me when I was singing in Prestatyn and said you’re the best thing on the high street which cheered me up.”

August 20 marked 60 years since Father Francis left home at the age of 17 to become a friar, and eight years later he was ordained in Crawley.

He continues to take a sermon every day, and his ultimate ambition is to sing and crochet at a motorway service station.

“People are very good and supply me with wool, I wish to thank people for their generosity.

“I’m very very grateful to the bus station for allowing me to come – if anybody can get me spot on a motorway service station I’ll be so happy.

“That’s my ambition before I die.

“Many places are closing to me – they won’t let me sing in Golden Square anymore.

“If any shopping centre would have me I’d be very grateful.”