A baby girl has pulled on the same spotty dress her mother wore 31 years ago, after it was found in the attic during a lockdown clear-out.

Rebecca Ellis-Dunsten, 31, from

A baby girl has pulled on the same spotty dress her mother wore 31 years ago, after it was found in the attic during a lockdown clear-out.

Rebecca Ellis-Dunsten, 31, from Newton Abbot, Devon, was just a baby herself when she wore the dress for a family photoshoot in 1989, and assumed it would be long gone.

But then her mother, Lynette Ellis, 62, went rummaging in the loft during lockdown to find some of her old baby clothes for six-month-old Penny to wear as they isolate together.

The family were amazed when the white dress with blue and red spots emerged from the depths of the attic, and fitted little Penny perfectly to wear again - just like mother.

Rebecca Ellis-Dunsten, 31, from Newton Abbot, Devon, was just a baby herself when she wore the dress for a family photoshoot in 1989 (pictured left) - but it was feared to be long gone. Pictured right: Her daughter Penny wearing the dress

Rebecca, a team leader in the care sector, said: 'Mum had been clearing out the loft to keep busy during lockdown and found some of my old clothes she'd been saving.

'It was surreal to look at this dress I'd seen in our family pictures for years and years and think about my daughter now wearing it.

'Whilst we have been quarantined, Penny has been growing so quickly her clothes can't keep up so it was also nice to have some fresh outfit options!' 

Rebecca's mother Lynette bought the bright spotty dress from the children's department store Adams, in 1989.

But her mother Lynette Ellis, 62, went rummaging in the loft during lockdown - to find some of her old baby clothes for six-month-old Penny to wear as they isolate together. Pictured, Lynette holding baby Penelope in the spotty dress with Rebecca and her son Teddy

She said: 'I chose the dress especially for a photo shoot, I wanted both my girls to look lovely as it was the first time we'd done something like that. I thought the dress was simple and pretty.

'When I found the baby box I was thrilled as I'd forgotten I'd saved it. The dress looked in really good condition, and we were so excited about Penny wearing it.'

In the box was also Rebecca's sister, Katherine's dress, for when Penny is older and also some precious knitted cardigans made by Rebecca's grandmother which Penny has been wearing.

Rebecca's mother Lynette (pictured) bought the bright spotty dress from the children's department store Adams, in 1989

Lynette said: 'I felt really emotional seeing my granddaughter in the same dress. It was a wonderful moment like everything coming full circle in a family. All you want is for your kids to be happy and healthy. They bring me so much joy.'

Now the family will be putting a picture of Penny in the dress in the hallway next to Rebecca's family photo shoot.

Rebecca is married to William, 30 and is also mother to Teddy, 2. She added: 'It is a very cute dress and for being over 30 years old I don't think it's massively out of style, even if it is a bit more frilly than I'm used to!

'It was a lovely walk down memory lane for mum, and a great distraction from everything going on.'