A MOTHER-of-two has brought a spark of dazzle to her weekly shop by dressing up in her best bumble bee and flamingo costumes.

Since the end of April, Marie Tyler, from Hedge End, has been showcasing fancy dress costumes every Friday to raise money for frontline workers on the NHS.

She was inspired to "lift spirits" after visiting her local Sainsburys supermarket for the first time following two weeks in self-isolation.

Before this, her one-year-old had been sent home from school with a continuous cough when schools and nurseries were still open, and they both fell poorly - but are unsure whether they had coronavirus or not.

So far, event organiser Marie has raised at least £650 for those tackling the Covid-19 pandemic in the NHS, more than halfway to her target of £1,000.

She said: "I love to entertain, not just for a living but also at home too. After coming out of self-isolation, I was excited to go to the supermarket for the first time in two weeks and wow.

"This was my first big queue and my first full experience of the stressful environment everyone is now faced with just to get food on the table."

Marie said her inflatable outfits have helped her to social distance during the four trips she has taken to Sainsbury's Hedge End supermarket.

She plans to continue dressing up every Friday until she has raised her fundraising goal of £1,000.

One of her outfits involved a swimsuit inflatable which she claimed was inspired by her "lockdown diet", which she wore on her third fancy dress Friday trip.

She added: "I’m certainly no hero, but if I can play a small part in lifting spirits while raising some money then why not. So, every Friday, I pledge to go to my supermarket in full fancy dress.

"Each Friday, I nominate someone else to join in my quest to help raise a few smiles whilst also helping to raise some much-needed cash for the NHS."

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marie-tyler1.