Ottery residents are donating their unwanted bras to support a scheme giving protection and dignity to refugee women.

Mum-of-one Rae Syder decided to throw out bras she no longer needed and came across the scheme Bras not Bombs.

The charity, set up by Caroline Kerr, sends quality underwear and sanitary products to refugees over the world.

The cause is also appealing for nursing bras which can be distributed to women living in refugee camps.

Inspired, Rae posted a message on Facebook on Sunday and has received more than 50 items from Ottery residents, with one donor dropping off 27 bras.

The 33-year-old said: “It’s a way of giving these women dignity. It’s a cultural thing; it puts them in a higher class of people, which makes sexual assaults less common.

“We take bras for granted. For these refugees they have never had a bra because they cannot afford them or all they have is what they have on. They cannot bring anything with them; it’s just the clothes they have got and some lose things on the journey.”

With more bras due to arrive at her door, the Yonder Street resident believes she will be sending off nearly 100 bras to the Nottingham-based cause.

Residents are being encouraged to send off their items or email Rae at raemerrygold@gmail.com

To find out more, look for the Bras not Bombs group on Facebook.