Body positivity influencers prepare for West End

Two advocates for body positivity who have almost a million Instagram followers between them are taking their online mission to the stage.

Laura Adlington and Lottie Drynan, both from Kent, are encouraging their followers to embrace their body shapes and sizes.

The duo will present their Same Dress Different Bodies Live show at the London Palladium on 23 March.

Speaking with BBC South East Today, they said their pilot show last summer was "empowering, amazing and freeing" for those that attended.

Asked if society has made progress when it comes to body positivity, Ms Adlington said: "We were definitely seeing progress when we were in lockdown, [but] sometimes I feel like we've gone the other way.

"We're very keen that we don't 'skinny shame', but we want to see diversity."

The pair are also are trying to encourage women to feel comfortable in the clothes they wear.

"Dress for joy, bring your personality out, wear what you want," said Ms Drynan.

"We've been told we have to flatten our bodies. For a lot of women, it's emotional when they realise 'I've been hiding my body rather than using it as a way to express myself'."

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