A SUCKLEY company is playing a leading role in a nationwide survey to determine the shape of clothes to come.

Select Research has to recruit 10,000 adults whose bodies will be electronically measured.

The National Sizing Survey - or Size UK - has been commissioned by the clothing industry to find out the shape of Britons today.

It is the first look at women's body sizes and shapes for half a century and the first-ever survey of men.

It is needed because the effects of changing diets and lifestyles are reflected in the sizes and shapes of people's bodies.

Recruitment of volunteers has already started with retailers inviting customers to sign up via in-store leaflets, direct mailing and the internet.

Top names such as Debenhams, House of Fraser, Tesco and Littlewoods are among the companies taking part.

Select Research's job will be to choose the 10,000 people, from the volunteers, who will actually be measured. "We have to select people who are a representative cross-section of the population," said managing director, Richard Barnes.

"The group has to be broadly representative of the UK population in terms of age, social class, ethnic group and so on. People will be recruited of all shapes and sizes."

He said his company was working with the Office of National Statistics to make sure the sample accurately reflected the British population.

They will then be invited to scanning sessions being held in major cities, including Birmingham and Cardiff.

High-tech booths will be set up, where the volunteers - clad only in their underwear - will be scanned by light beams which will record their measurements.