A TRAIL-BLAZING cancer support group has branched out, opening a shop especially for women who have undergone breast surgery.

Lavender Lingerie and Swimwear, thought to be the first shop of its kind in Wales, caters for women cancer sufferers who have had breast surgery and find difficult to find suitable bras and swimwear.

There are only a few shops offering a similar service in the whole of the UK. Set up by South Gwent Breast Cancer Support Group, the new shop in Chepstow Road, Maindee, was the brainchild of member Glenda Lewis.

"I had difficulty for years finding a bra and I went to Canada where they had mastectomy shops," she said.

Chairwoman Doreen Smith added: "I had 20 years of trying to find a proper bra and having to send away to a mail order company and then send it back if it wasn't right."

About two years ago they decided to set the ball rolling.

They intended to write to many local firms asking for help in finding premises, but struck gold with their first letter, to the Monmouthshire Building Society.

They were invited to view the first floor offices of its Maindee branch in Chep-stow Road.

"When we saw it we knew it would be right and that's when it really started to take off," said Mrs Smith.

"But the biggest drawback was that we had to apply for change of use.

"That took months and until we got that we couldn't do anything.

"We had to try to find companies to supply us with stock - we didn't know anything about them and who to go to."

But 18 months of hard work, and about £20,000 from their own funds, enabled them to transform the offices.

Elaine Collins, pictured, runs the shop, after receiving specialist training.

Lavender Lingerie currently opens on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but this could be extended in future.

Contact the shop on 01633 840202.