OLD aprons have been turned into cute new dresses for impoverished children in Africa at a supermarket in Chipping Sodbury.

Several partners at the town’s Waitrose store, who did not want to see hundreds of special Christmas aprons be thrown away, decided to start sewing and transform the festive material into new clothes for those in need.

The aprons were worn by staff at the store in the run up to Christmas last year but rather than be sent to landfill, they have been recycled into dresses for little girls and shorts for boys.

The seamstresses behind the project were partners Mary Blannin, Kelly Evans and Steff Towills who each turned numerous aprons into new garments.

Waitrose Chipping Sodbury personnel manager Sarah Ralphs said: “This was a project thought up by partners and is just another way we are trying to give something back.

“The aprons look lovely as little dresses and shorts and the group has enjoyed making them.

“We welcome all ideas from partners.”