THE British Heart Foundation is calling on people across the North East and |North Yorkshire to wear second-hand clothes in celebration of World Earth Day.

Amid growing awareness of the dangers of fast fashion, the charity hopes to encourage the public to buy clothes from their shops and cut down on buying new clothes on World Earth Day on April 22.

They say it will reduce the impact on the environment and raise much needed funds for people living with heart disease across the region. Director Allison Swaine-Hughes, said: "We hope fashion lovers across the North East and Yorkshire will get behind our national appeal in celebration of World Earth Day.

“After so much talk about the negative effects of fast fashion, it’s time to put words into action and trade in our fast fashion habits for charity shopping. Not only will wearing pre-loved clothes cut down on waste, but it will also support our 550 clothing shops nationwide to raise funds for life saving research.”

Sustainable Stylist Alice Wilby said: "I’m a lifelong fan of second hand shopping. We have such a wealth of amazing clothing already made, there really isn’t any need to shop for new. Buying second hand saves them from landfill, so by choosing to wear these clothes we can actively support life saving research and help protect our planet."