Mamas and Papas at Giltbrook

To celebrate the arrival of its flagship store in Nottingham, Mamas and Papas offered a pregnant mum a makeover. Step up supermum of five – with her sixth on the way! – Linda Skinner of Eastwood, who swapped Pampers for pampering for a day! JO ROBERTS reports

NO ONE is more excited about the opening of designer nursery brand Mamas and Papas at Giltbrook than Linda Skinner.

To say children are her life is an understatement; at just 33 she has her sixth baby due in May. Linda's the first to admit she's fallen into the trap of putting the children's appearance above her own.

Her favourite shop is Mamas and Papas because of her penchant for the latest hi-tech buggy with each new baby, but previously she's had to go to either Sheffield or Northampton for one.

But with the Nottingham store's opening at Giltbrook Retail Park approaching fast on November 20 with a ten per cent off day, Mamas and Papas took Linda to the Lace Market Hotel in High Pavement to prove that there's more to the brand than stylish equipment and babywear.

Linda modelled this season's maternity clothing and some styles from the upcoming spring collection.

"I get up at 6am and go to bed exhausted at about 10pm after a long day," said Linda, wife to Richard and mum to Emily, nine; Ethan, seven; Joshua, six; Katie, four and Evie, two. "There's no time to fuss over my appearance, so I don't wear make-up. I only go to the hairdressers once every 18 months, and I usually end up with grubby fingerprints on my clothes by the end of the day!

"To be pampered for a day was fabulous. I loved having my hair and make-up done, and was really impressed with the Mamas and Papas maternity clothing. It was practical and affordable yet looked really classic and stylish. It gave me the confidence to try wearing something different."

Visit the store from this Saturday, on Ikea Way, Giltbrook Retail Park. Or go to www.mamasandpapas.co.uk

On Sunday, November 21, special guests Saira Khan from The Apprentice and Mamas and Papas Midwife of the Year for the Midlands, Sally Bostock, will be in-store.

Hair was styled by Pauline Mitchell at Mitchell's International, Carlton, Tel: 0115 9400001. Make-up by Space NK, 12 Pelham Street, Nottingham.