High Street stalwart Marks & Spencer is preparing to go head-to-head with the likes of Topshop as it launches a new collection for young women.

The Per Una Due range features boob tubes, batwing tops and the shortest skirt ever to bear the M&S name at 29cm (11in) from waistband to hem.

The collection, aimed at women aged 15 to 30ish, means M&S will be competing in one of the toughest markets in the clothing sector.

M&S says it will update the collection in stores every eight weeks in a bid to ensure what it offers remains "fresh".

Thursday May 06, 2004