A Bradford firm has come up with a revolutionary technique for preventing wool from shrinking.

Parkland Group, based in Greengates, has patented Smartwash Easycare Wool which enables woollen garments to be washed and dried and retain their shape.

The firm is manufacturing pure wool slacks and skirts which will be on sale at some high street stores later this month on a trial basis.

It is the first time the manufacturing process has been applied to produce quantities of the durable crease fabric in bulk.

Parkland technical director Mike Rushworth said today: "The big disadvantage of wool garments is that they cannot be regularly machine washed and repeated dry cleaning is expensive.

"We have now devised a simple method of processing the wool so that garments can be washed and even tumble dried without shrinking and requiring only light ironing to restore the good-as-new look.

"Key to the manufacturing process is the special finish we apply to the fabric which enables permanent creases to be pressed into garments which can then be machine washed and dried time and time again."

Parkland design and manufacturing director Malcolm Campbell will be closely monitoring the high street trials.

He said: "The Easycare wash and wear garments represent a real breakthrough and will make life so much easier for those who take pride in their appearance.

"A sustained research period and lasting belief in the project by Mike and his team has led to the launch of an exciting new product treatment.

"The launch underpins our continued commitment to innovation and new product development and I am confident that Easycare will make a big impact in the UK and the American market where early interest has been most encouraging."

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