It is the ultimate in recycled handbags, using almost every part of a cow.

Jocelyn Mather is certain to divide opinions with her new line after creating a range of handbags using cow by-products, including Highland cow leather, tripe and flattened ox horn.

The four statement bags are all hand stitched. The collection ranges from a formal clutch to a dainty handbag, with tripe either used as a lining or outer material. The fastenings are also made using the animal’s horns and bull-ring.

The Ayrshire design student, 23, crafted her unique Bags... for Life collection after realising how much of the animal goes to waste once it is slaughtered.

Mather, who studies product design at Edinburgh Napier University, said: "40% of the animal is edible but a lot of the 'off-cuts', like tripe are used for dog food. A lot of abattoirs also sell the hides on to customers in Italy and I just thought, this is our national animal, why aren't we more proud of it?!

"It was really hard to get hold of tanned tripe so I attempted the tanning process myself in my bath. I had to leave the tripe soaking there for about a week before hanging it to dry on my clothes rack. My friends thought I was mad."

The talented student also hit a further hiccup along the way when her flat was raided by wildlife officers.

She added: "My letting agent had been carrying out an inspection in my flat and had obviously come across a pair of cow horns but he had thought they were ivory tusks and called the police! I was terrified, but they just laughed when they saw the horns."

The budding designer now hopes her handbags will help make people think differently about animals.

She said: "If each butcher was given one cow, one pig and one sheep to feed his local community every part of the animals would be used, but in this day and age of mass-farming that just doesn't happen. I wanted to show more respect for this stunning animal by using its less palatable pieces to create something unique.

"My lecturer kept saying they would look great on Lady Gaga."

Ian Lambert, Subject Group Leader: Art Design & Communication, said: "Jocelyn's designs are thought provoking and like much of the work set to go on show, executed to a high standard. This year, our students have created innovative and visually delightful projects and our Degree Show offers a fantastic showcase of Scotland's next generation of creative talent."

The handbags will be on display at Edinburgh Napier University's Degree show, which opens on Friday May 24 at Merchiston Campus. It runs until Sunday, June 2.

For more information please visit Edinburgh Napier's degree show website.