People encouraged to reuse clothes and reduce waste

Two-thirds of people in the UK now wear pre-loved clothing

A scheme is encouraging people to reuse clothes to prevent adding to textile waste that is impacting the environment.

Gloucestershire Recycles, a partnership between Gloucestershire County Council and the county's six district councils, has launched the campaign Wear Not Waste, which includes offering residents a clothes swap kit.

Councillor David Gray said: "This is a great way to save money and tackle climate change."

The kit contains rails, hangers, signs and mirrors to help people easily put on a pop-up clothes swap.

Discarded clothes often get exported from the developed world to poorer countries, where they sit in landfill

According to a new study by online thrift store Thred Up, sales of pre-loved clothes are predicted to overtake fast fashion by 2030.

As well as the clothes swap kits, which can be ordered and collected from Gloucester, the scheme offers an information pack for teachers to help educate young people on the topic of fast fashion.

It is also running a competition to win two £50 charity shop gift cards.

Mr Gray said: "It’s great that we’re supporting our communities in the county to proactively swap clothing rather than going straight to buying new.

He added: "I hope as many people as possible take part."