A PEEBLESSHIRE woman has found a helpful way for families to celebrate Halloween without breaking the bank.

Last year, after having conversations with friends about the cost-of-living crisis, Mollie Davis came up with a way for parents to avoid spending more on new costumes for their little ones.

Mollie, from Cardrona, created the Halloween costume swaps, sales and shares Facebook group to help people exchange costumes for free or even sell them for a small fee.

She said: "I hope we can all save a bit of money.

"I was talking to other mums saying that someone should do this, and I decided to start the Facebook group."

Each year parents often have to re-purchase entirely new costumes or buy individual pieces for homemade costumes as their children have outgrown their fancy dress from the previous year.

And with the cost-of-living crisis, spending money on a new outfit which may only be worn once is an expense families may look to avoid.

Costumes for children's favourite characters – including Bluey and Spiderman – and for the more classic Halloween costumes such as witches, zombies, and vampires, can range in cost, with some available for younger children at around £10, and for older children and more detailed costumes, prices can rise to nearly £30.

As well as her conversations with other parents, Mollie was also inspired to create the swap and sell page by her own children – Seren, who will soon be celebrating her fifth birthday, and one-year-old Eleri.

Mollie added: "I think it will be good for us all to clear out our old costumes.

"There is so much waste by going to the shop every year and paying full price when we could just share."

With the success of the group last year, Mollie is considering expanding the group to festive and Christmas jumpers.

"The group started last year and it's going quite well," Mollie said. "We could even extend it to Christmas."

With just over two weeks to go until Halloween, there is still plenty of time to find a free or cheaper costume thanks to other parents in and around Peebles.

To swap, buy or sell costumes this Halloween, visit the group on Facebook by searching 'Halloween costume swaps, sales and shares - Peebles area'.