'Make do and mend' is the very British message behind a Dutch initiative that's about to take Weymouth by storm.

Repair cafés are a way for people to fix broken household items, clothes, and electricals, as well as learning useful skills for mending things in the future, and preventing items going to landfill.

The idea first sprang up in Amsterdam around 2009 – but now a Weymouth resident, Ros Dean, is planning to launch the project in the town.

Mrs Dean said: "About three weeks ago my daughter sent me a link to an article about repair cafés and said it would be a great idea for Weymouth.

"People bring in items to be repaired, and volunteers with skills in fixing that particular item will sit with them and show them how to do it.

"There are also tools available for people who want to drop in and do their own repairs, but might not have access to the right materials.

"After speaking to people in the community and setting up a Facebook page – Repair Café Weymouth – I realised there are enough people who would be interested in a monthly repair café event.

"The next stage is to find a committee and volunteers who are able to help with the repairs, and are able to spare a few hours each month."

A meeting is being held this Saturday, February 23 from 11am-12.30pm at the Kings Arms pub on Weymouth harbourside, to find volunteers to help organise the events - as well as people who are skilled at mending items – "from laptops to clothing and everything in-between".

Sponsorship is also being sought by individuals or local businesses to help get the not-for-profit scheme off the ground by covering insurance costs needed to run the event.

According to Mrs Dean there are around 15,000 repair cafés around the world – including one in Bournemouth – with a distinctly social flavour to the events.

"There is a Dutch word - 'Gezellig' - which doesn't have a direct translation into English, but roughly means 'pleasant and cosy', and that's the atmosphere repair cafés try to recreate," she added.

"Besides saving money and being an eco-friendly initiative, it's also a chance to have a sit down and enjoy a chat and a coffee."

For information about this Saturday's meeting and plans for Weymouth's own repair café, find 'Repair Café Weymouth' on Facebook, or email repaircafeweymouth@gmail.com

See repaircafe.org for information about repair cafés around the world.