A BRAND new ethical department store, stocking glamorous French knickers made from pine tree cuttings, has just opened.

Liv.co.uk, based on Rush Farm near Redditch, is an online department store that makes quality clothing products and aims to make sustainable living both chic and kind to people's pockets.

The knickers are made from recycled white pine-tree prunings, and created in France and Tunisia by the French lingerie designer Sophie Young.

The shop boasts they are as soft as silk with the feel of cashmere and the coolness of linen.

Dawn Foxall, from Liv.co.uk, said: "These are the pinnacle of French technology, delivered right where it matters. They won't leave you pining for the old bloomers.

"The pine needle fabric is a vicose. Like viscose rayon which is a fiber made from regenerated wood cellulose, this fabric is regenerated pine needles. Structurally it is similar to cotton, which is almost pure cellulose."

Launched at the end of November the shop, which specialises in hand made quality products using pure materials, sells a number of other items such as socks, jumpers, shaving sets for men, lambswool cushions and hat and scarf sets.

For more information, visit Liv.co.uk or facebook.com/liv.uk.