A DESIGNER who battled back from a car accident which left her wheel-chair bound has created a fairy-tale dress made entirely out of newspapers, in memory of her late father.

Alison Stallard, from East Wichel, crafted an Alice-in-Wonderland themed outfit using only 110 Adver newspapers.

The avant-garde creation features elaborate newsprint flowers with a corset, headdress and skirt, constructed over a wire cage and covered in a protective glaze. The high-fashion headdress alone took more than 200 hours to craft.

“I wanted to create an amazing outfit out of cheap and recyclable materials. I wanted to prove you can make something out of nothing,” said Alison, 45.

"We read the Adver every day and it is full of bright colourful photos that were perfect for the outfit."

The mother-of-two, who runs her business PoZers from a studio in Whitehall Farm, Cricklade, made her career as a chef before a life-changing car crash in 2001 left her in a wheelchair for eight years.

“It changed my whole life, we went from having a good income to barely being able to support ourselves,” said Alison.

Alison went back to study at Swindon College where she developed a love of costume during studies for a HND in specialist and media make-up.

“Before then, I never thought that I could do it, it gave me the confidence to really embrace my creative side, my flair and I haven’t looked back since,” she said.

“Every day I come into work I feel like I have won the lottery."

The dress was a three-month labour of love for Alison, who juggled the project alongside her work commitments.

“It’s passion that keeps me going, I just love what I do and even if I'm in pain, it doesn't feel like work,” said Alison.

The one-of-a-kind creation will be auctioned off to raise money for Prospect Hospice which cared for Alison’s father Richard Lee, who died in December aged 87.

“Prospect were amazing the whole way through, the care they gave me father was just second-to-none, they gave him dignity and respect and that’s why I wanted to do something to help them,” she said.

“My dad was always very proud of my work and very supportive.”

Alison is also supported by mum Henrietta, proud husband Stuart and sons Richard and Nicholas.

The costume draws influences from Alison’s gardens at her studios as well as her idol, fine art photographer Kirsty Mitchell.

“Kirsty’s mother died and inspired her to create her Wonderland collection, and my father died in Prospect the week Kirsty’s Wonderland book arrived at my door and I took over the studio the very same week,” said Alison.

“This has made me determined for my path to follow that of Kirsty's, and be recognised for my work in the town where I live.”