Uniform guarantee for 100 days

The price of uniforms has fallen dramatically in recent years

Parents have an increasing choice of low-cost school uniforms to choose from when kitting out their children to go back to school.

Now a uniform guaranteed to withstand the rigours of the school playground is the latest way of attracting parents.

Asda guarantees its uniform costing £6 will last 100 days of rough and tumble - or it will refund it in full.

The low-cost uniform war has already begun this year, with M&S and Tesco both offering uniforms for under £5.

Tesco has unveiled a uniform costing just £3.75 - including polo shirt, trousers or skirt and sweatshirt - for children aged three to 16, and M&S's uniforms start at £4.50.

Parents may be left wondering how clothing can come so cheap.

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Helen Brown, of mumsnet, says a significant number of parents do think about buying ethically and ask themselves where cheap clothes from.

"But if you are standing in front of the peg and you have three pairs of trousers to buy, for some price will be the be-all and end-all," she said.

"Each parent has to make a decision based on their individual circumstances. In my experience cheaper uniforms aren't bad - they wash ok.

"How long uniforms last depends on what kind of child you have. I'd be really interested to find out how many parents return the uniforms though," she added.

Managing Director of George at Asda, Anthony Thompson, said: "Our quality is comparable to the very best out there but gives much better value for money."

"Mums are telling us that the time for price wars and stunts is over as parents deserve consistent quality clothing for their kids.

Asda also said it had very strict ethical codes and customers could buy from them "with a clear conscience".