Battle Abbey costumes star at Bexhill museum

Claire Eden, social history collections manager, said the exhibition was "an excellent way" to start off the new season.

"The display is in the new catwalk area in the costume and social history gallery. Battle Abbey School's wonderful contribution is the first in, what we hope, will be a long line of schools and local groups to display their costume and dress creations at the museum.

"The area is rich in talent and we are delighted to be able to help promote young fashion design in the surrounding area."

Rachel Whitham, art textiles teacher at Battle Abbey School, commented: "We are delighted that the outstanding work from our art textiles class is on display in a local museum where many more people will be able to enjoy it."

In September 2008, the seven Year 13 Battle Abbey School pupils studying art textiles at A Level decided to produce a creative costume for the last practical unit of their coursework.

It was agreed that 'rainforest' would be a stimulating overall theme, allowing each individual to research whatever aspect appealed to them, such as visual, geographical, political or ecological.

The dresses on display for six months at Bexhill Museum were created by Poppy Holbrook, Shalini Masrani, Emma Merrick, Willow Rolfe, Rosie Wakeham, Monique Wallace and Finola Woolgar.

The museum has both Facebook and Twitter pages where the museum can be followed, as well as a website where details can be found about exhibitions: www.bexhill museum.co.uk