‘BRING us your bras’ – that is the message from a Dorchester lingerie shop that is supporting a idea to recycle unwanted bras in aid of charity.

Mirari Lingerie in Antelope Walk is backing the Bra Bank scheme where unwanted bras are either recycled or sent to developing countries.

For every bra donated the BCR Global Textiles organisation that is running the scheme will also make a donation to a specific charity.

Shirley Ryan, owner of Mirari Lingerie, and her team have chosen to support the national charity Against Breast Cancer.

Mrs Ryan said: “One hates waste, and by giving us your unwanted bras you’d be helping a charity.

“That is the most important part because you would be doing something to help Against Breast Cancer.

“Some of the bras are also sent to developing countries which has got to be a good thing.”

She added: “One of our suppliers who supplies mastectomy bras is a supporter of Against Breast Cancer so that’s why we chose the charity.

“We also thought Against Breast Cancer was quite personal for our shop. Generally speaking, we only support breast cancer charities.

“We deal with a lot of ladies from the hospital so it is close to us.”

Gemma Purnell, shop assistant at Mirari Lingerie, added: “A lot of women tend to just chuck their old bras in the bin, so I think it’s another way of recycling. It’s also for a really good cause.”

BRC Global Textiles, running the Bra Bank scheme, is a family run organisation specialising in the re-use and recycling of textiles. For more information visit bcrglobal.com