The secretive group pounced in the early hours of Saturday morning to bring some much-needed colour to the Main Street.

Surprised shoppers and workers were confronted by trees wrapped in multi-coloured covers with teddy bears and other little characters sewn into the fabric.

One of the Yarn Bombers spoke exclusively to The News to explain their idea behind the plan on the strict condition that we maintain her anonymity.

She said: “We are a local group who have visited the Borders town of Eyemouth where they have their own Yarn Bombers group.

“Every 12 weeks they pounce on an area and bring a splash of colour to the town.

“We thought it was a great idea and just the sort of thing that Barrhead needs, especially given that we have had such a dull summer.

“We’re also aware of the Business Improvement District plan that will hopefully bring new life to the town centre and we thought this was one way of taking action to brighten up the town.

“Hopefully it brings a smile to people’s faces and we promise to remove the yarn bombs in two weeks time.

“And you can expect some more yarn bombing in the months to come. Watch this space.” And residents have given then painstakingly crafted decorations their seal of approval after we took to the streets to hear your opinions.

Les Hughes, security guard at East Renfrewshire Council’s Barrhead offices said: “I had locked up at night and was shocked when I came in the next morning to find these beautiful things wrapped around the trees.

“It really does bring a splash of colour to the street and they have been very well done.

“I think it is fantastic.” Council workers and health staff have been greeted by the knitted creations every morning, as they adorn three trees outside the council’s offices and a large metal tree sculpture outside Barrhead Health Centre.

Annmarie Blair, who works in the council’s offices, said: “They’re beautiful, lovely and bright and they make quite a bit of difference to the street.

“They bring a little bit of sunshine to sunny Barrhead, and it’s wonderful that someone has taken the time and effort to make these.” Her opinion was echoed by Helen McDonald, who passes by daily on her way to work on the Main Street.

She said: “They’re really quite nice, it’s something different.

“For someone to do something like this is really quite nice and I think it is lovely that someone has thought to do this.

“They make you smile every day when you are passing them, it’s actually quite sad that they are going to be taken down again.” Alan McWilliams, 58, from Barrhead also added: “They are unique, very unique.

“They make you smile and a lot of work has went in to them, and I had to come over and have a look at them and see what it was all about.

“It makes you smile, and its not something that you see every day.”