A SHOPPER from Blackburn got more than she bargained for when she stumbled across a pair of 60-year-old French knickers in a charity sale.

Student Danielle Connelly, of Hayes Lane, Livesey, saw the underwear in the RSPCA shop, in Lord Street West.

The 50p pants had a note attached from the maker saying they had been created for her School Certificate exam in 1943 and she wanted to pass them on as the time had come to move into thermals.

Now Danielle has decided to frame the underwear and hopes its timeless quality will inspire her to make more of her own clothes in the future.

She said: "I think the knickers are beautiful and very well-made, though I know it sounds strange to say you've bought underwear from a charity shop.

"They have obviously been cared for and I'd love to find the lady who made them because the note was lovely.

"I'm very interested in fabrics and I wish I made more of my own clothes - perhaps this will get me sewing."

The seamstress who created the knickers was Eunice Jones, now 77, of Revidge Road. She said: "I remember them really well. They definitely got me a pass in the certificate.

"I don't even sew at all nowadays, though I used to do a lot. People don't make things in the same way now they can do it all on a machine in minutes.

" I can't really remember where I've kept them over the years, but I'm pleased they have gone to a nice new owner."

RSPCA committee member Jean Ratcliffe said: "A lot of the handmade garments are stuff people wouldn't make nowadays, but they help us make the money we need to keep going."

The Note Read:

This vintage garment was laboriously manufactured during the academic year 1942/3 for Ye Olde School Certificate Examination under the beady eye of Miss Sowerbutts.

It has been meticulously maintained and is still in good running order.

However its one careful lady owner has now reluctantly decided to sell as she is finding in her advancing years this model to be rather draughty when travelling at speed.

Any reasonable offer accepted - or would exchange for a pair of 'thermals'.