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Primary school pupils have taken to the catwalk to highlight the impact fast fashion has on the environment.

Working alongside Cardiff-based fashion designer Sam Osborne, children at Libanus Primary in Blackwood redesigned unwanted clothes before showing them off at their school ‘Trash-ion show’.

Mr Osborne visited the school during a fortnight of environmental activities to mark Earth Day.

As part of their studies, pupils read the book ‘Mother Earth is Weeping’ by Claire Donald before working in groups to cut up, sew, glue and embroider old clothes that were then worn by Year 5 and 6 pupils, who took to the catwalk to show off their new creations

Ten-year-old Lily Egan, who is Head Girl at the school, said: “We want people to think carefully about the clothes that they buy and get the message across – buy less, re-use more, because the less items we buy the less the environment will be harmed.”

The school’s Head Boy, James Vacariuc, 11, said: “This Earth Fortnight has been a great experience and taught us about the massive impact fast fashion is having on our environment. It has been a brilliant opportunity to expand my creativity, working with others to create a fashion show which only uses recycled materials and highlights how we can turn trash into fashion.”

Pupils showed off their creations to fellow pupils, teachers and school governors at the fashion show, which was held in the school hall.

Headteacher Nicola Williams said: “It was a real joy to watch the confident way our oldest pupils strutted their stuff on the catwalk in their trash-ion show. The use of recycled materials to create their catwalk clothes was inspirational.”

School Governor Carol Erasmus praised pupils and staff for their hard work and dedication and said: “The most important thing is that the message about saving our planet has been understood. I am a very proud Governor of Libanus Primary.”