An award-winning school swap shop that allows families to pick up school uniforms for free and recycle used ones has opened for the summer in the Ashby de la Zouch area.

Fourteen venues across North West Leicestershire are hosting swap shops, holding uniforms from all the local primary and secondary schools.

The scheme, which won the Let's Recycle Award for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management this year, will run throughout the summer holidays until at least Monday, September 2.

The venues that are hosting the School Uniform Swap Shop are:

• Ashby | Co-op, Derby Road
• Castle Donington | The Hub, Bondgate
• Coalville | Co-op, Meadow Lane
• Coalville | Co-op Funeral, London Road
• Coalville | Co-op, Cropstone Drive
• Coalville | Newmarket, Marlborough Square
• Hugglescote | Co-op, Oak Corner
• Ibstock | Co-op, Ashby Road
• Kegworth | Oaklands Bakers and Butchers, Church Gate
• Measham | Co-op, High Street
• Moira | Co-op, Shortheath Road
• Ravenstone | 43, Ravenslea
• Thringstone | Co-op, The Green
• Whitwick | Co-op, Market Place

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said: "We understand how expensive it can be each year for parents to buy new school uniform.

"This campaign aims to support families to save money, whilst helping the environment by reusing perfectly good uniforms.

"Last year was very successful and we received a huge amount of praise locally, as well as a national award. We're hoping to build on that success this year to support even more families to swap school uniforms for free."

Helen Crouch, Food Poverty Officer at NWLDC, added: "Many people hand uniforms on to family and friends, but this scheme helps people to swap with a much bigger pool of people.

"It brings the sometimes overwhelming cost of school uniform down for families in a way that feels good.

"Although the swap shops will accept donations throughout the summer, you don't have to bring a uniform along to be able to take some. Just come along and take what you need.

"The uniforms in the different locations should be for all the local schools and it's just done on a first-come first-served basis.

"Thank you to all the venues for agreeing to be part of our fantastic School Uniform Swap Shop."