An Ashby business is running a sewing competition with a group raising money for breast cancer charities. 

Bracrafts is a fundraising group which upcycles unwanted Bras into new items which are sold on - with all proceeds going to the cancer charities.

Angela Higson, the founder of Bracrafts, said: "We have raised over £11,000 in 18 months to date. 

"We are currently running a sewing Competition with Emma of the Fabric Boutique in Ashby-de-la-zouch to raise money for these worthy cancer charities. 

"There are some fantastic prizes to be won and the winner of the Great British Sewing Bee in 2023 is one of our judges."

The full list of judges for the competition are:

• Asmaa Al-Allak, the winner of the Great British Sewing Bee series nine;

• Matthew Hesse, from series nine of the Great British Sewing Bee

• Angela Higson, Bracrafts founder

• Emma Clarke, owner of the Fabric Boutique

• Alison Smith MBE, from the School of Sewing

 The competition is open to all, no matter what level of expertise.

They can use as many bras as they like and incorporate other materials to make their creation. 

The competition closing date is February 28.

Angela explained more about Bracrafts: "In March 2023, having recently retired, I finally got around to clearing out an old chest of drawers.

"I came across three very pretty bras that my daughter no longer wanted. I took them to the local charity shop but was told they didn't take bras, so I ended up bringing them home again and wondered what to do with them....

"Then I remembered a friend telling me some time ago about a lady who made fairies out of bras for breast cancer. I tried to find out who she was but couldn't find any more details. 

"I am a passionate crafter so thought I would have a go at making something myself, it's only fabric and lace after all.

"The first item I made was a scrunchie which spurred me on to make something else. I found a tutorial on the internet on how to make a fabric needle case and despite not being a confident sewer I had a go, substituting the cover fabric for bra lace and was delighted with the results, even more so when my friend said she wanted to buy it, I'd sold my first item for Breast Cancer charity! I then thought if I was having this much fun using my hobby to raise funds for a cause close to my heart (I had a mastectomy in 2004) there might be other crafters out there who would join me in the fundraising, so Bracrafts was born!"