IT'S BRA-vo to a local businesswoman who has collected more than 500 items of women's underwear in a charity campaign.

Liz Armstrong, from Pencombe, started a county-wide collection of new knickers and new or gently-worn bras for the charity 'Smalls for All' who send them on to women in Africa.

Liz has managed to collect 225 bras and 275 pairs of knickers.

The Scotland-based charity has sent over 800,000 items of underwear to women and children living in poverty in slums, rural villages and hospitals in Malawi, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Madagascar.

In many impoverished areas women and girls do not own a single pair of knickers, which can leave them incredibly vulnerable. Wearing underwear is especially important for child safety, as it is perceived as a sign that the child is looked after.

Liz, who has run her own marketing consultancy since 2014, said: "Like all good things this happened accidentally.

"As most women in a hurry do, I purchased a bra without trying it on, and when I got round to trying it I discover it was a terrible fit.

"It was too late to return it, and I know many charity shops can’t sell underwear, so I researched if there was anything I could do with it. That’s when I discovered Smalls For All’.

"The generosity of those who donated was immense - I was collecting bags and bags full of bras and literally hundreds of packs of knickers from friends, strangers, school groups, and collection boxes at St Leonard’s Church in Yarpole, and Bridge Street Sports Centre.

"I was also over the moon to send the charity a large cheque from a supporter who wanted to help to assist with their work after hearing about my collection.’

"The kindness shown by the people of Herefordshire has made me feel incredibly proud of our county. "To be able to start with one bra and end with over five hundred items is a very humbling reminder that anything is possible - with a good bra!"