Inmates at Rolleston Prison have been showing their softer side, knitting blankets for abandoned and homeless animals rescued by the SPCA.

The men meet weekly with a volunteer art tutor to knit for the animals.

They're also encouraged to knit in the afternoons and evenings when they have free time.

They knit a variety of peggy squares using donated wool, and then sew them together into blankets.

Rolleston Principal Corrections Officer, Karl Bennett, said the men involved started off thinking knitting wasn't something that men do, particularly not male prisoners.

But when they gave it a go they found it was more difficult than they thought, and found it both relaxing and rewarding.