SCIENTISTS in Malvern have developed a 3-D camera that could revolutionise the way women shop for clothes.

Developed by QinetiQ, the former Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), the camera could cost as little as £30 when mass-produced.

This opens up a string of applications that have been in need of a low-cost, practical solution.

The capturing of 3D images has previously been possible but has relied on laser technology which is expensive and bulky.

John Bannister, QinetiQ's optical technologies business manager, said the new camera could help women select clothes that best flattered their figures through accurate body sizing.

"QinetiQ has demonstrated a solution that would be based on six camera units being used in an existing fitting room booth," he said. "When combined with body modelling and size extraction software, shoppers could ascertain their true measurements so clothing fits better.

"If information on what styles suit their body shape was also made available, it could help ensure they select garments that best flatter their figures."

Mr Bannister said the retail clothing sector had already shown "considerable interest" in the technology.

"The clothing industry has already carried out a comprehensive sample programme that collected data from around 11,000 individuals as part of the National Sizing Survey.

"Designed to improve the ready-to-wear clothes market and allow mass customisation, the survey automatically extracted and profiled hundreds of measurements to help economically build a clear picture of current human size and shape.

"However, the technology used in this project was bulky and cost prohibitive, making it impractical to be widely or permanently deployed."

QinetiQ's 3D camera technology, while small, is capable of capturing data from more than 1,000 individual points on an object with extreme accuracy, making it ideal for face and body mapping.