Shepton Mallet has once again woven itself into the national conversation, as The Hivel knitting shop and café, is set to feature on ITV's morning show, Lorraine.

The crafty display of nude knitted dolls, originally cooked up to bolster fundraising for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, has now spun its way into headlines across the country.

Dubbed "free the Hive Five", the display initially faced a tangled situation when a local voiced concerns about the knitted figures' nudity, worried about young eyes on the school run.

In a clever twist, The Hive covered the dolls' privates with small placards, highlighting the Air Ambulance's life-saving work.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, proving that a little controversy can help to knit the community closer together.

The figures on display at The Hive (SWNS photo)

Despite the controversy, the café's owner, Mike Alford, maintained that the display was meant in good fun and not intended to offend.

"It's all just laughs and tongue in cheek. Life is too serious, and it's good to have a laugh," he said.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the controversy actually boosting donations.

"We've made about £100 for the charity just today with people trotting in," Mike said, highlighting the community's support for both the cause and the display.

The Hive was broadcast direct to the nation this morning (Photo: The Hive)

Mike says the ladies have put "a lot of work" into the display, with each figure taking about a week to complete.

The lineup includes characters like a policeman, vicar, Rastafarian, a lady adorned with pearls, and a bearded chap—all designed to add a bit of cheeky charm to Shepton Mallet's streetscape. "Today alone, we've raised about £100 for the charity. It's wonderful how much people have pulled together," Mike added.

Today's ITV segment, which aired between 9am and 9:30am, was a highlight for The Hive, showcasing how Shepton Mallet's unique brand of community spirit and creativity can catch the eye of the nation.

• Find out more about The Hive, which has been operating in the town for 35 years.
• To donate to the air ambulance click here.