The enterprising McDonagh turns redundant inner tyre tubes into interesting fashion accessories such as rucksacks and shoulder bags, as well as making clubwear and furniture. And her bags are not just for the young and trendy. She makes them for people of all ages and tastes, including some fun designs for children and plain handbags for older customers.

She has also made bean bags, including ones that are 3.4 metres long and look like big, backless sofas.

Mcdonagh, who was born in April 1974, is an art, design and media graduate from Portsmouth University in southern England. She set up her business, the Inner Tube Company, soon after leaving college. Interested in environmental issues and recycling, the idea came to her when she was at a car workshop and was amazed by how many inner tubes were being thrown away.

Shefelt there was a use for them, so she bought a special sewing machine to make some bags which she exhibited at an international show and immediately won accolades and awards. She has also won export orders to the United States and Japan.

Her environment-friendly and stylish bags are mainly based on botanical forms. The straps of some of the bags are made from seat belts and she is always on the look-out for other suitable materials. She says inner tubes can be turned into items that are really hard-wearing, look like leather and are waterproof. A carefully kept company secret is the technique used to treat the tubes so that the finished products are clean and pleasant smelling.

The unique bags have been selected for possible inclusion as one of the United Kingdom's ``Millennium Products'', innovative items and services that will be shown in exhibitions, seminars and conferences in the months leading to the year 2000 and in the Millennium Dome showcase London.

For further information contact: TheInner Tube, Unit B1, The Wren Centre,Westbourne Road, Emsworth, Hampshire, United Kingdom, P010 7