A grandmother who has been dubbed "crochet Banksy" has been spreading joy again with a hilarious new seagull post box topper. 

Her latest work is on a post box in Marine Drive in Rottingdean, next to the post office, and villagers have expressed their delight at the comedic masterpiece. 

The crochet creation, depicting a seagull eating chips, is the work of Amanda MacMath, also known as Nanny Bears Crochet. 

"I've been on holiday in Spain and the one thing I thought when I was on the beach was 'there's no seagulls'," Amanda told The Argus.

"It's a symbol of being in Rottingdean. You get your chips and walk along the beach and get bombed by seagulls."

The Argus: The seagull has a chip in his mouthThe seagull has a chip in his mouth (Image: Amanda MacMath)

Amanda, who lives in Peacehaven, crocheted the topper while she was away on holiday. She even got a real takeaway tray to put the crochet chips and ketchup inside. 


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The 51-year-old started crocheting in 2019 when her grnadmother showed her how to do a standard chain.

She says she does it to "spread joy" in difficult times and even sees people get out of their cars to take pictures of her creations. 

The Argus: The seagull has chips and a side of ketchupThe seagull has chips and a side of ketchup (Image: Amanda MacMath)

"I walked my dog over in Rottingdean at the weekend and lots of people were stopping to take pictures," said Amanda. 

"I just want to put a smile on people's faces and this one in particular is funny."

The Argus: Amanda MacMath with her daughter KarmannAmanda MacMath with her daughter Karmann (Image: Amanda MacMath)

Amanda has been dubbed the Banksy of crochet because she sneaks out at night to put the toppers on post boxes when no one is watching. 

The 51-year-old set up Nanny Bears Crochet in 2021 when she started “yarn bombing”.

The name was inspired by her nine-year-old grandson Stanley.

“My grandson Stanley used to call me Nanny Bear and so I thought I’ve got to have a name because people see things and they want to know where it’s from,” she said.

Amanda wants to encourage more people to take up the craft.

“It’s not just old people who do it, it’s normal people who sit there with a gin and tonic and crochet" she said.

“It’s so relaxing and great for mental health.

“Everyone can try it. Just don’t give up.”