A NEW exhibition at Chepstow Museum gets up close and personal with an item of clothing that was loved or loathed by generations of children.

The I Love My Liberty Bodice exhibition tells the story of the fleecy bodice with its cotton tapes and rubber buttons that was an essential part of childhood for many in the first years of the 20th century and the way childhood changed in that time.

The Liberty bodice was invented in 1908 by Fred Cox, the marketing director of R and WH Symington and Co in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

At the turn of the 20th century girls from well-off families wore corded bands from infancy which were supposed to train their bodies and, from about the age of 10, a more shaped, boned bodice.

Chepstow Museum curator Anne Rainsbury said: "The Liberty bodice was a softer, less restricting garment that allowed children to move around and play at a time when playing and being active were viewed as an important part of childhood.

The exhibition, which runs until October 6, features two plaster figuerines Soccer Sid the Liberty Kid and Dashing Dora the Liberty Scorer as well as original bodices, and advertising artwork and packaging.