NORTH students have been invited to put their designing skills to the test to give the famous Butlins Redcoats a radical facelift.

Butlins, as famous for its Redcoat entertainers as for its holidays since it opened its doors to holidaymakers in 1936, has traditionally opted for high-profile fashion designers to update the Redcoat uniform.

This year, Butlins has turned its back on the famous faces of fashion and invited youngsters to revamp the Redcoat image.

Students at the University of Northumbria have been asked to enter a competition to give a makeover to the holiday chain's entertainers.

The brief is simple; any style as long as it is red.

In conjunction with the British Fashion Council, students from 25 of the UK's design colleges will be asked to design either the formal Redcoat uniform, currently the famous red suit, or a more relaxed look for the more active role of the Redcoat entertainer.

The winner of the chosen design will win £5,000 and the title of honorary Redcoat, with their own uniform.

The new image will be introduced at Butlins resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness next year.