National Survey Highlights Alnwick. A national survey commissioned by the British Association of Lingerie and Underwear Producers, BALUP, into the populations preferences in under garments has highlighted an unusual favorite in the north east and in particular the Alnwick area. "String Vests" said Quentin Varnish, BALUP representative for northern England. "In enormous quantities and very little else". The survey for BALUP focused on retail outlet figures and distribution patterns from manufacturers. "It bucks the national trend" said Mr Varnish, "most of the UK stopped wearing string garments a long time ago but Alnwick and the surrounding area just love them and it's women more than men,the statistics show that one in three women in Alnwick wears a string vest. The most unusual statistic is the sales of briefs, male and female, they are very low, we have calculated that as few as one in seventy five actually wear them".