BRISTOL are hoping a return to their traditional blue and white hoops will improve their fortunes on the pitch tomorrow night – along with a new, glamorous mascot.

Miss Bristol Laura Purnell, from Staple Hill, has come on board to add a touch of glamour to a rare midweek home fixture at the Memorial Stadium as strugglers Bristol face Saracens.

And Laura is backing Richard Hill's side to pick up their first win of the season.

She said: "I cannot wait. I am really excited to see the players in action. I definitely think they can do it and hopefully the players can show how good they are against Saracens.

"I have done some modelling for Bristol's catalogue. The shirt is a really nice design – and it is a very nice fit."

Bristol are returning to the hoops in their home kit for the first time in three years and general manager Corin Palmer said: "We are launching the hoops. Laura will be parading around the ground. She will be wearing the new kit, her tiara and her sash."

Meanwhile, Palmer is urging everyone to remain positive after the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

Bristol have lost their opening four matches – including a 17-3 defeat at fellow pre-season relegation favourites Newcastle on Friday.

But he remains confident the club will claim their maiden win of the campaign against a Saracens side they shocked 18-3 in January.

Palmer added: "We have lost our first four games. While the results have not gone our way, it is quite positive.

"We believe very strongly that we are going to win against Saracens. The players are very resolute and want to put in a good performance.

"The most important thing is to do is for everyone to stay positive. We also have a clear game plan and we have to stick to it."

Saracens snapped up Bath captain Steve Borthwick and Wales back row Michael Owen over the summer as well as giving the reins to ex-Australia coach Eddie Jones.

Their spending seems to have no end after they were also reportedly linked to South Africa World Cup winners Bryan Habana and Schalk Burger.

Palmer added: "If it came down to money then Saracens and Stade Francais would be winning trophies every year – they are not.

"We have a strong team spirit at Bristol. We have to put things into perspective – we are at the Memorial Stadium. It is our spiritual home and the performances are improving.

"We have lost the first four matches – but we are determined to end (that run) on Wednesday."

Meanwhile, Bristol's fans are refusing to hit the panic button just yet.

After losing at Newcastle on Friday, they are now eight points behind a side who were favourites for relegation in pre-season.

Supporters Club chairman Ian Selway said: "It's worrying but it is not worth panicking yet.

"We have seen it before with Harlequins. They managed to lose their first five matches (in 2006-07) and still managed to pull it around.

"The display against Sale was better than the defeat at Harlequins. But at the same time we don't seem to be creating many chances."