There is not a piece of old chewing gum, a bald patch or a cigarette burn in sight.

But believe it or not, the patterned material in these new shoes used to be a seat cover on a First bus, while the soles were once bus tyres. Put together the shoes are being sold at an eye-watering £70 a pair.

Of all the fates for an old piece of bus seat, an eco-friendly pair of trainers might be one of the most unexpected.

After all, passengers are usually being asked to keep their feet off the seats, not to wear the seats on their feet.

Bristolians and First have not had the easiest of relationships over the years and the price tag is unlikely to endear the product to the people of this city.

But First believe the eco-friendly nature of the recycled materials from which the shoe is made will be a hit with people across Britain and Europe.

None of the profit from the sale of the trainers will go to First, heading instead towards the manufacturers.

The shoes were produced in Portugal and designed by London-based firm Above And Beyond.

The material uppers are made from First's disused bus seats while the black rubber soles come from recycled tyres.

The new shoes are a result of work between First and the Transport Recycling in Partnership (TRiP) to develop its business of re-using and recycling transport industry waste.

Justin Davies, managing director of First Bristol, Somerset & Avon said: "This partnership with TRiP is both innovative and imaginative and it underlines our commitment to sustainability.

"It's also part of our waste management programme which, combined with our Climate Change Strategy, contributes to reducing our impact on the environment.

"The shoes are great, they are made from 100 per cent recycled materials, including bus seat covers and recycled tyre rubber.

"They are a must have for the fashion conscious environmentalist.

"I am pleased to hear that they are already proving popular in London and across Europe."

Robert Taylor-Read, projects director at TRiP, said: "Bristol has played host to one of the greenest trainers on the market.

"Not only are the uppers made from restored bus seat fabrics, the soles contain recycled tyre rubber.

"In addition we have incorporated high quality napa leather in the trim, using re-purposed chequebook wallets from a high street bank.

"Each pair is a limited edition relic of transport design heritage which are comfortable, stylish and robust.

"I hope they prove popular in the South West.

"To have the world's leading transport operator support us is a tremendous boost for the business.

"First has a commendable reputation for innovation and added to which has published an ambitious and industry leading climate change strategy.

"TRiP is all about mitigating the environmental impact of transport.

"I am delighted that FirstGroup has the vision and foresight to partner with us in the first phase of TRiP's works programme."