WHEN flamboyant Newport fashion student Anthony Thomas started his course, the last thing he imagined designing was maternity wear.

But, now in his second year at University of Wales, Newport, the 20-year-old has just won a prize for his maternity yoga clothes.

He entered a competition run by Stirling Group, one of the UK's leading designers and manufacturers of leisure clothing, to design some eye-catching new yoga-wear.

After reading about the benefits of yoga for pregnant women, he decided to target the niche market of yoga-loving mums-to-be.

The result is his soft, flexible, seam-free yogawear, which beat off 35 other entries to win him a trip to this summer's Florence Trade Show.

Anthony said: "I was shocked to win. On the morning of the competition I nearly pulled out because I thought I hadn't prepared enough."

He says the reversible, high-waisted designs will be suitable before, during and after the pregnancy and said the key to the wrap-around clothes is comfort.

It is a far cry from Anthony's usual designs. He admires extrovert designers like John Galliano and Alexander McQueen and loves to create show-stopping catwalk clothes of his own.

Looking forward to his prize, Anthony said: "It's going to be a brilliant insight into the industry."