Pictured above: Russell Coleridge from Warwick outdoor shop Escape 2 with some of the dozens of pairs of unwanted boots donated to help raise money for Water Aid

A Warwick trekking and camping specialist has been inundated with old walking boots following the launch of a charity collection to help people in developing countries.

Escape 2 in Emscote Road has just sent off a consignment of 39 pairs of boot as part of a national initiative to raise money for charity Water Aid. The boots will be sold by charity organisers to a distribution company, with the proceeds being donated to Water Aid. The boots themselves are then passed on to people in need overseas.

The New Life initiative saw customers drop by with their unwanted boots during May and June and Escape 2 staff say they are thrilled with the response to their appeal.

Russell Coleridge from Escape 2 explained: "We had no idea how many people would response to the appeal as we've never done anything like this before. But we were amazed at the number who took the trouble to bring in their old boots to us rather than taking them to the tip which is where they may otherwise have ended up.

"Water Aid transforms lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in poor parts of Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the scheme also provides employment for people living in deprived parts of the world who take on the job of selling the second hand footwear."