OLD bin bags, drinks cartons and newspapers were pressed into service for a fashion show with a difference.

GCSE pupils at North Oxford’s Cherwell School spent months working on a style project in an attempt to raise awareness of Oxfordshire’s waste problems – and highlight possible solutions.

Jake Seal, Jenny Creery and Alice Elliot, all 14, came up with the concept, made the outfits and organised the show at Wolvercote Village Hall on Friday.

Jake, from Summertown, Oxford, said: “We wanted to focus on waste because it’s a big problem in the county.

“We all think rubbish is just waste, but it can be used for lots of other things and turned into new products – if we only recycle it properly.”

“We hope the show raised awareness that waste is valuable.”

He added: “We got lots of comments with people saying how much they enjoyed it, and how good the clothes were.”

The show was part of the pupils’ citizenship GCSE.

They were asked to think of an event or idea which would raise funds, awareness, or both – and decided to turn the spotlight on recycling.

The trio created 20 outfits, all for girls, which included a knee-length dress made from doilies and a vest and skirt made from plastic bags.

Jake, Jenny and Alice pressed their friends into service to model their waste fashion, and staged a glittering catwalk show.

About 40 friends and family members came along to see the next Stella McCartneys and Alexander McQueens showing off their eco-friendly designs.

As well as raising awareness of recycling, the show raised about £100 through ticket sales for children and young people’s hospice Helen and Douglas House, in East Oxford.

The fashion show also won the backing of national campaign group Recycle Now.

Laura Underwood, from the organisation, said: “Recycling reduces the need to consume resources, saves energy and environments, and reduces landfill.”