DARRENERS who are nifty with a needle and thread will soon be able to make use of a new creative hub and get the kids kitted out for school.

Caroline Fotios, 53, set up her community interest company Mum’s the Word in Blackburn a few years ago.

The mum-of-two then moved into the three-day market in Darwen but after having to move out of the building, which is due to be demolished, she has decided to open a new shop in Duckworth Street.

The shop will sell a range of fabrics and the money made from that will then go towards buying school uniforms which are sold at affordable prices, aiming to help vulnerable families in the area.

Miss Fotios will be offering people the chance to use sewing machines for a small donation after she concluded the town did not have many spaces to be creative.

Miss Fotios, who also works two days a week in Solitaire clothes shop in Bolton Road, said: “Mum’s the Word is about raising awareness of the cost of school uniforms and the impact that can have upon parents.

“We want to continue to help the most vulnerable families in Darwen because we do all struggle when it comes to the cost of things no matter who we are.

“I thought about bringing in the sewing machines as well because there there are so many creative people in the town but they haven’t really got anywhere to go to create things.

“My vision would be to eventually be able to have people making things and then showing them on the shelves.

“We’re already working with East Lancashire Hospice to make bags for patients who use syringe drivers and we’ve been approached by Nightsafe to make bags for the homeless.”

Mum’s the Word was initially based in The Mall before moving to Darwen Street and then into the market.

The shop will sell uniforms for a number of local primary schools.

Maggie Beck, headteacher at St James’ CE Academy, said: “Mum’s the Word has been a very helpful shop to our families and it will continue to be.

“I think it’s a fantastic idea and helps parents be able to sent their children in full uniform to school, which makes them feel a part of things."