A CLEVELEYS great-gran has proved she's a real knit-wit, especially when it comes to a novel way of recycling carrier bags!

And Brenda Openshaw's amazing crocheting -- using Iceland bags -- have attracted even more attention after page 3 stunner Nikkala Stott modelled a 'Brenda bikini' in The Sun this week.

"It looked very nice," said 67-year-old Brenda, who made the cool creation in just four hours.

"I make a lot of things with Iceland bags. They are so strong, and I like the colours," she said.

It takes about four bags from the frozen food retailer to make each bikini -- cotton lined for comfort -- though Brenda has been known to go into the Iceland store on Victoria Road West, Cleveleys, and ask for as many as a thousand bags.

Nick Canning, Iceland's marketing director, said: "We try to accommodate all our customer requests, however unusual they may be.

"We've even offered to send extra bags over to Brenda's winter base in Benidorm to ensure she can continue her hobby abroad."

In fact, wherever Brenda and husband Ken, 68, go, 'balls' of shredded carriers go with them. "We have a camper van and when I'm travelling I get very bored, so I crochet, but you can't really keep stopping at wool shops," she laughed.

Bikinis are not the only thing she makes. With five children, 14 grandchildren and three great grand children there's constant demand for her creations -- from table mats and toilet roll covers to accessory bags for the shower.

And since The Sun's article, she's been interviewed on the radio and was due to travel to London on Thursday for an appearance on breakfast television programme Ri:se.

She also gives talks, her next one is for Age Concern on Monday.

"You would normally throw bags in the bin so if you can do something with them why not? It stops me getting bored," she laughed.