PARENTS in Helensburgh and Lomond are being urged to help other families, and the environment, this summer by reusing and recycling outgrown items of school uniform.

Argyll and Bute Council is encouraging families to sort through any school uniform this summer to help provide affordable uniforms for children.

The local authority is working with schools and community initiatives across Argyll and Bute on the 'pre-loved' scheme, with the Helensburgh Uniform Bank being one of its partner organisations.

The Helensburgh Uniform Bank (HUB) is holding its annual Back to School uniform sale at Helensburgh Parish Church on Saturday, August 10 from 10am until 12 noon.

To organise a donation any items of school uniform which you no longer need, contact the uniform bank, which is based at the parish church in Colquhoun Square, by emailing thehub@helensburghcos.org or by sending a message to the 'Helensburgh Uniform Bank' page on Facebook.

Alternatively items can be handed in direct to the parish church's office.

The service supports pupils at all Argyll and Bute Council primary schools in the Helensburgh and Lomond area, as well as those at Hermitage Academy.

Once donated, volunteers will sort uniform items into three categories: good condition, meaning they can be reused straight away by another pupil; reasonable condition, which means they're stored for future reuse, and 'unsuitable for reuse' - though even items in the latter category won't be thrown away, and instead will be recycled into stuffing for soft furnishings and building materials.

You can order pre-loved school uniform for your child by completing an online order form on the council website at tinyurl.com/argyllandbuteschooluniform.

Councillor Jim Lynch, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “We know that many families continue to face financial challenges and the cost of school uniform can often cause anxiety.

"By taking part in the pre-loved uniform scheme, you can help support your community, save money and protect the planet.

"We want to work together to make sure every child has access to a school uniform and we’re all doing our bit to become net-zero by 2045.”

The council is also working in partnership with similar schemes in South Kintyre, run by Kintyre Recycling Limited; Oban and Lorn, run by Oban Baptist Church; and Dunoon and Cowal, run by the Dunoon Community Hub; as well as directly with schools on Bute and in Mid Argyll.