Education Secretary Charles Clarke wants to turn the clock back 50 years and see every child in school uniform.

He believes wearing school colours will instil a sense of pride and belonging in pupils.

It is good news for Joy Twigg, who runs Hove-based Klassy Kids Schoolwear, which supplies uniforms to more than 80 schools in the area.

But for the first time she is having to order clothes in bigger sizes for girls because of expanding waistlines.

Joy said: "Boys' trousers have come in a variety of lengths and waist sizes for the last five years but until now it has been a nightmare to find skirts and trousers for girls of differing shapes.

"Not everyone is a perfect size and I have had lots of mums with daughters of seven or eight who have to buy trousers for ten or 11-year-olds and cut yards off the bottom to make them fit.

"Now, with half elastic on the waist and a generous cut, they can get the right fit for a larger waist."

At the moment about a fifth of state schools do not have uniforms.

However, a survey carried out by the Department for Education and Skills found 77 per cent of parents were in favour of them.

More than two-thirds thought it could help improve discipline and raise standards.

Ms Twigg said manufacturers had finally got to grips with the shape of the modern schoolgirl.

She said: "Children are getting bigger. Junior schools used to buy sweatshirts up to size 32in.

"Now they go up to small or medium adult sizes to cater for some ten and 11-year-olds."

She said many schools had a uniform policy but did not enforce it.

She added: "Many really just have a coloured sweatshirt and, of course, children take their uniform to extremes with girls in ultra-minis or full-length skirts.

"The ideal is to have stylish designs that are neat and acceptable to both children and headteachers."

New, stylish boot-cut trousers come in black, navy blue and grey and go up to age 16.

There are also fashionable A-line skirts with zip pockets.

Even though the school holidays are approaching, Ms Twigg is gearing up for a busy round of sales.

She will be at Hangleton Junior School hall, in Northease Drive, on August 6, 13, 20, 25, 26 and 27, from 9.30am to 5pm.

For more details, call Ms Twigg on 01273 723395.