A FASHION graduate has spoken of her upset after clothes she had spent a year researching and making for her final degree show were stolen.

Aimee Grimshaw's four Japanese-style kimonos were on show at the University Centre at Blackburn College when they were stolen — just an hour before the exhibit closed for good.

The 21-year-old's plea for their safe return has since been shared over a thousand times on Facebook, with the Mill Hill resident branding the thief 'disgusting'.

Aimee, who lives with mum Mandy, dad Ian, and 24-year-old brother Jordan in Millwood Close, said: "I want to know who has taken them and why because I just don't understand.

"I'm devastated. I feel like it has all been pointless."

The contemporary fashion student, who dreams of making it big in the world of print design, was showing off her work as part of a larger exhibition held in the motor vehicle workshops.

Garments, artwork, and photographs were all on display from May 20, and were due to removed on the morning after the display closed on Thursday, June 4.

It is then the thief struck, at some point between 4pm and 5pm.

Aimee said: "I was on the way to uni when I got a call from one of my tutors, who asked if I had taken them home.

"They said, 'I'm really sorry but it looks like they have been taken'.

"I went to see and I burst into tears because they were gone."

She continued: "The exhibition was in the old motor vehicle building, so there was no CCTV.

"There were Mac [computers] in there, so it sounds a bit silly that they would just take the kimonos."

Kimonos, traditional Japanese garment, translates in English as 'thing to wear'. They are usually full-length robes and are most often worn by women and on special occasions.

Aimee, who is yet to report the incident to police, said: "I don't understand why somebody would do this. People have been saying they can't believe it, but I haven't heard anything [about who did it]."

Head of art John Harrison said the school had contacted staff and students to make them aware of the theft.

He said: "We are looking at reimbursing Aimee for the cost of her work to try and support her in creating the work again.

"If anybody knows anything about the work, or if somebody has it and they can return it, we would appreciate it."

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "We would urge all victims of crime to report incidents of theft by calling 101."