IT may feel like the summer holidays have only just begun, but the new school year is less than four weeks away. Now’s the time to snap up those essentials so your ‘angels’ start the new term in style. Consumer Editor EMMA McKINNEY teamed up with Merry Hill shopping centre in Brierley Hill to find some of the top school uniforms and accessories that won’t break the bank.

Five-year-olds Dylan Reed and Lydia Pearson, both from Kidderminster, are ready to go back to school. Dylan is wearing V-neck navy jumper, £8; white, short-sleeved shirt, £5 for a pack of two; shoes, £16; all from Bhs. Lydia is wearing short-sleeved blouse, £9 for pack of two; pinafore dress, £10, both from Marks & Spencer.

Bluezoo red rucksack, £11, Debenhams and Sonic pump bag, £5, Debenhams.

Hello Kitty rucksack, £15, Debenhams and Hello Kitty over the houlder satchel, £12, Bhs.

Sonic the Hedgehog water bottle, £5.50, and Hello Kitty water bottle, £4.50, both from Debenhams (left); Blue Zoo flower lunch bag, £7, Debenhams (top right); Sonic the Hedgehog lunch bag, £9.50, Debenhams (bottom left).

High-visibility set so children can be seen in the dark, £5, Bhs; Inset, name labels, £1, Bhs, or laundry marker pen and 60 labels, £1.99, Sainsbury’s.

Double ended stamper pens, £3.99; Crayola coloured pencils, £1.29; Crayola supertips washable pens, £1.99, all from Sainsbury’s.

Lydia Pearson and Dylan Reed are all kitted out ahead of the new school year next month.

* Where to buy all school gear:

Bhs, 01384 78892, www.bhs.co.uk
Debenhams, 08445 616161, www.debenhams.com
Marks & Spencer, 020 7935 4422, www.marksandspencer.com
Sainsbury’s, 0800 328 1700, www.sainsburys.co.uk
Merry Hill shopping centre, 01384 481 141, http://uk.westfield.com/merryhill/