Shoppers in Fareham are being urged to kick-start a recycling campaign that will see trainers transformed into playgrounds.

Fareham Shopping Centre has launched its old footwear recycling campaign to help out poor families in the Balkan states.

Shoppers can get rid of their old shoes, boots and trainers at the centre, and these will then be collected by the Salvation Army.

The old footwear will be shipped to the Balkans where some will be reused as shoes and others will have their rubber soles recycled to make playground surfaces for the children to enjoy.

For every pair of footwear that the Salvation Army collects, a donation will be made to the Wessex Cancer Trust.

Pam Gillard, shopping centre manager, said: "We are delighted to have launched this recycling campaign to help families in the Balkan states.

"It seems such a waste to just throw old shoes away when they can be so useful. Everybody wins."

You can drop off your old footwear at the centre until June 26.