An east London charity shop where parents can pick up school uniforms for £5 is helping with the rising cost of living, users have said.

This is the eighth year that S.M.I.L.E. London & Essex, which "provides support to families facing poverty, homelessness, and hardship", runs the swap shop for uniforms from its premises in Romford.

Parent Sandra Koli, on a visit to the shop, told BBC London: "It helps me not to be anxious, because the price is really affordable so I don't have to worry too much.

"This is the right time for it, because by the end of August it will be really crowded and much more expensive – so I can relax and enjoy my summer until the school starts."

Maria Quaife, from S.M.I.L.E. London and Essex, told BBC London: "We've got 1,000 items of school uniform – branded and generic uniform – (from) across Havering, Barking and Dagenham.

"Families can come in, donate items that don't fit their kids any more and grab as much new uniform as their family needs for only £5.

"We tend to get about 500 children coming through our doors each year and it's been getting more and more every year unfortunately because of the cost of living.

"But a new school uniform can cost around £300-400 per child. We're saving families locally thousands of pounds."

The shop also stocks a selection of shoes and football boots at a reduced price.

According to the Department for Education,, external the average total expenditure on school uniform, based on the items required in the school year 2023/24, was just under £250 and PE kit cost just under £140.

Ishtiaq Khan, also visiting the shop, explained that he has six children.

He said: "Three of them are still going to school. Otherwise, it could have been very much more difficult for us or a struggle for us. But due to this, all arrangements and the provisions, we say that it is one of the very satisfying experiences that we are here to do all these things for the children."

The swap shop is open to all and runs until 22 August. People may also make donations of back to school packs for disadvantaged families.

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