A TEXTILE store has given away hundreds of metres of fabric as part of a competition.

Lingards’ Fabrics on Rayne Road, Braintree, hosted Lingards’ Free Fabric Competition to showcase the creativity of people in the area.

Customers were given the opportunity to create anything they liked from bags, cushions, children’s clothes 3D art and play mats.

The winner of the competition is the design with the most votes on Facebook. They will win £100 to spend in either the Braintree or Sudbury store.

Store manager Esme Murphy said: “We have had so many votes from all over the world, and people are popping into our shops just to say how fabulous the windows look.”

The designs are currently on display at both stores.

The family run store was originally opened by Sandie Lingard in 1957 in Braintree in The Market Place.

"We've even had customers wanting to buy some of the entries.

"I'm very excited about letting everyone know what our next move will be, because this competition has been so much fun."

To vote for your favourite design visit Lingard Fabrics on Facebook.