A NORTH-East student believes one of her designs could prove a hit with young people in the future.

Claire Lowes, 22, from Darlington, has made a chaise-longue from old office chairs.

It is one of the exhibits being displayed at Northumbria University this week.

Miss Lowes said: "I took inspiration from John Prescott's vision for £60,000 homes and thought about what young people would be able to afford to furnish them. There is cheap furniture at the moment but it's not well-made or environmentally friendly.

"By transforming second-hand furniture you can make something that's unusual, striking and affordable for young people."

Miss Lowes, who is in her final year of a Design for Industry course, worked closely with County Durham Furniture Help Scheme, a charity that sells unwanted furniture.

For her project, Miss Lowes devised a business which would work in partnership with local businesses and councils, who could make donations of materials or old furniture.

A workshop would be established to transform the furniture, or items could be customised to suit the client.

The Design for Industry exhibition is being held in Room 209 in Squires Building on the Newcastle Campus until tomorrow.