STROUD clothes shop Eclipse has become famous for its window displays of eye-catching dresses but the popular boutique has never showcased anything as creative as its latest frock.

For the rest of this month, its main window will be home to a cleverly conceived garment made entirely from the shop’s iconic zebra stripe bags.

The creation is the handiwork of loyal customer Paula Mellerup, who made it as part of a foundation course in creative practices she is studying at Stroud College.

The dress itself is not for sale but Paula has produced a series of greetings cards featuring sketches of dresses she has bought from the shop to accompany the display.

"It is a wearable dress and I made it by stitching bags together with a sewing machine," said Paula, who is a mum-of-two and works at a nursery in Dursley.

"I used to do dress making so I had that skill behind but I never liked following traditional methods.

"I buy 80 per cent of my clothes from Eclipse and I like them because they are so individual and not at all mainstream."

She added that she hopes to create an entire wardrobe of dresses for the college’s end of year show in the summer.

Eclipse owner Sid Copp said: "It is very clever – I have seen a lot of people stop to look at it.

"Paula has been such a good customer to us so it is nice to give something back to her."