SWISHING — the environmentally friendly posh frock exchange craze that is sweeping the nation — arrives at Duchy Square Centre for Creativity this Saturday.

Visitors to the Princetown centre are invited to bring along an old cocktail dress or evening gown that is past its best, swop it for something new – and help save the planet at the same time.

In the UK, a staggering one million tonnes of old clothes and material are thrown away each year, but with Duchy Square's team of textile experts on hand it's easy to give them a new lease of life.

Gallery manager Philippa Smith said: 'It's basically retail therapy without the carbon footprint.

'There's no need to throw away clothes that no longer fit or are no longer in style when you can swop it for something new and stylish. That's what swishing is all about.'

For a £2 entrance fee, visitors must bring along at least one item of clean, good quality clothing and the swop must be like for like. A voucher will be given for each item of clothing to be swished, up to a maximum of three per person.

The event, between 10.30am and 1pm, opens with a 30-minute browsing session so visitors can see what is on offer, but no item can be exchanged before the swish is officially underway.

When the swish opens, it is first come first served, and whatever people take is theirs. No money should be exchanged at any time either.

'If we have two women arguing over the same item of clothing, then it will be settled with the toss of a coin,' added Philippa.

 'It is also a good idea if people try the item of clothing on first, but we have plenty of skilled people here at the centre who can advise on or carry out any alterations to garments.'

Swishing is derived from the dictionary definition of 'to rustle, as silk' and began in 2000 when Lucy Shea, founder of green PR firm Futerra, and her colleagues wanted to come up with a way of combining a love of shopping without compromising their eco principles.