OWN UP ladies, just how many handbags are lurking at the back of your wardrobe? When it comes to accessories, women can usually be split into two camps, those with shoe lust, and those with a handbag habit.

You know what I mean, you've got a cupboard full of bags yet you just can't resist splashing out on yet another piece of arm candy.

So it's no surprise to find that the average 30-year-old owns 21 handbags and buys a new one every three months.

A new study reveals that women will buy 111 over their lifetime, forking out more than £8400.

The average spend on each handbag is £76, but, that's a snip when some designer styles cost up to £1000.

So what is it with women and their bags?

"Women have lots of things they want to carry, but they want an object of desire," says Mairi Hamilton, the woman behind Pell Mell, an exciting new handbag brand from Helensburgh that's taking the UK by storm.

"It's definitely the arm candy thing, they want it to look good and be a bit of a statement."

In just over three years Pell Mell bags have been snapped up by over 300 retail outlets.

And they've also won a prestigious trade award which celebrates innovation and environmentally-friendly design.

Mairi and husband Stephen Clayton wanted to create designer handbags and accessories without the over-inflated price tags, so expect top-quality designs from £39-£129.

Take their vintage croc print hide in fabulous colours like aubergine and olive or their hand-woven handbags in buttery soft leather.

There's also the Concertina range with its unusual, gathered detailing and a range of purses, travel wallets and laptop bags. There's even a men's range designed by Stephen.

The couple buy leather from all over the world and everything is designed by Mairi at her studio in Helensburgh.

The handbags are made in India before being shipped back to their huge warehouse in Drumchapel, where they're dispatched to retail outlets all over Britain.

"We started off with around five designs and then everything happened quite suddenly," says Mairi.

"We started with a handful of customers and it just got bigger."

Pell Mell bags can found in Glasgow at Christo's Gallery in Great Western Road and Cassiopeia on Hyndland Road.

The shop at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has just taken them on for the new season.

At a recent trade show, Top Drawer, their Madison bag won them the Eco Design award.

"It was a great boost to the business because there were lots of big names at the show and we were the unknowns," says Mairi."

When it comes to designing the bags, Mairi says she doesn't let her heart rule her head: "You can't design to please yourself, you've got to think of the different possible purposes and the people you're making it for.

"And often the bags that sell the best are the ones you didn't think would.

"Women are bolder with their bags now, one of our best sellers is a lime green crocodile print!

"Brights sell much better than black. Scottish women are fashion conscious, so even when they have to dress soberly they like that little flair." www.pell-mell.co.uk 01436 677442