When you think of Carmelite friars the first thing that pops into your head is probably not safety pins.

But that's what has been holding together the habits - and modesty - of some members of Aylesford's 800-year-old Carmelite Order.

And when the friars' habits started falling apart there was only one thing for it - find a seamstress and fast!

The friars headed for exclusive fashion outlet Raffles in Maidstone's Royal Star Arcade - more used to dealing with lovers of Gucci and Armani.

Fr Brendan, Prior of the Carmelite Community at Aylesford, said they were "certainly not" looking for designer clothes, although he added: "Certainly some of the suits were very tempting, but I don't think we could find an occasion to wear them."

He said his habit was being held together with safety pins, after the zip fell off some time ago.

Anyone who takes on the seamstress work has their work cut out for them: according to tradition the scapular, or apron, section of the habit was originally handed to Saint Simon Stock by the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1251.