FASHION-conscious Worcester women who are looking forward to bagging an affordable Stella Mc-Cartney creation at High Street store H&M are in for a great disappointment.

Despite the fashion designer daughter of Paul McCartney living in Bishampton, near Pershore, her eagerly anticipated one-off autumn collection for the fashion chain will not be available locally.

Instead, the clothes - described as a combination of her signature style of sharp tailoring, irreverence and cool femininity - will only be available at flagship H&M stores.

This means Worcester trendsetters will have to travel to Birmingham's Bull Ring outlet if they are to bag their cut-price McCartney bargains when they hit the racks on Thursday, November 10.

Lorraine Powell, who is the manager of H&M in Worcester, said it was disappointing that such a high-profile collection would not be available to city customers.

"I didn't know Stella McCartney lived locally, but I am sure she is not snubbing her neighbours," she said.

"The decisions as to where collections go are made from our head office in Sweden.

"Just 400 flagship H&M stores across 22 countries have been chosen to house Stella's range.

"I suppose it is questionable whether it would cater for Worcester's tastes - but having said that, a lot of people have been asking about it."

The collection, which includes tailored classics updated with modern and romantic details, feminine evening wear embellished with diamante details and ribbons, and basics like denim and knitwear, has been surrounded by hype and scandal - the latter element being provided by Kate Moss who had been booked to star in the range's ad campaign.

After she was pictured taking cocaine, her contract was terminated and H&M booked Italian model Mariacarla Boscono to step in.