A UK dressmaker who commemorates the death of stillborn and miscarried babies by providing them with special gowns made from recycled wedding dresses online has been inundated with donations from members of the public following an online appeal.

Cardiff resident Lisha Thomas, 20, was first inspired to take the dresses, traditionally reserved for happy occasions, and transform them into a new symbol of love after a member of her own family lost a newborn baby.

In a bid to kick-start new voluntary enterprise Little Gowns, Ms Thomas took to Facebook requesting anyone with a short evening dresses australia to send one her way, announcing that all the resulting garments would be donated to local hospitals and funeral homes.