Absolutely fabulous Joanna Lumley paid a surprise visit to Marks & Spencer in Orpington to celebrate the store’s outstanding “Shwopping” achievements.

The stylishly stunning actress has joined forces with M&S to launch the new initiative which aims to revolutionise clothes shopping and help consumers live more sustainable lifestyles.

Customers are being asked to put their unwanted clothing to good use instead of throwing it out.

Now, M&S is asking people to Shwop, or donate an unwanted piece of clothing - of any brand - every time they buy a new one.

Joanna told News Shopper all about the Orpington branch’s fantastic achievements.

She said: “The truth is I’m visiting Orpington because it’s the top performing store in the whole nation.

“They’ve made Shwopping so attractive.

“This store has just created a bench mark for all the other stores.”

The branch has collected the biggest number of Shwopped items and attracted the most hits on Facebook.

Through Oxfam, donated clothes will be resold, reused or recycled and the money raised will go to help people living in poverty.

Some will even be used to upholster cars.

Not a single item will go to landfill and the ultimate aim for M&S is to recycle as many clothes as it sells – 350 million a year.

Joanna added: “Since Shwopping I’ve done a great de-cluttering of my life.

“I cannot tell you how much stuff I’ve taken in.

“If clothes are in cupboards and in bags or shoved under the beds you never wear them and we’ve all got thing we look at with regret.

“I’ve got things I saved up and things I knew were a mistake almost as soon as I bought them.

“It’s silly and wrong – we should have respect for clothes.

“It’s time to let them go on their journey – let them go.”

Joanna has also been named as the new worldwide ambassador of Plan A – the eco and ethical programme which aims to make M&S the world’s most sustainable major retailer.

She added: “Shwopping is completely genius.

“Every time you come in bring one, 10 or 100 old or unwanted pieces of clothing and you’re helping the planet and Oxfam.

“It’s completely fabulous.”

For more information visit marksandspencer.com