NOTTINGHAM Lace could soon have the same European protection as Melton Mowbray pork pies and champagne.
East Midlands MEP Emma McClarkin wants the label Nottingham Lace to only be given to lace fabrics crafted in this city.
It would give the same protection as currently enjoyed by the pork pies, which can only be made in the Leicestershire town, and the Champagne which has to come from north-east France.
Miss McClarkin is campaigning for lace from Nottingham to be given European Protected Geographical Indication – which is given to food traditionally made within the specific region which has unique properties.
Her bid would require a change in EU law so that non-food items could be considered too.
Laura Summerson, manager of Kula Tsurdiu bridal boutique in Hockley, said she thought the idea was "marvellous".
She added: "It's such a big part of the city's heritage so this is a really good thing to be doing.
"Nottingham Lace is such a big brand and people love it.
"We see people coming in from all over the country coming back to Nottingham for their wedding dresses which just shows how important lace made here is to people."
Nottingham was the lace capital of the world in the19th century – and at its peak, more than 40,000 people were employed in the industry.
The materials were exported to all four corners of the world at the height of the British Empire and the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited the lace factories of the city in 1955.
And recently the city's lace has been a hit on the catwalk with the likes of Alexa Chung, Suki Waterhouse and Paloma Faith all stepping out wearing the fabric.
It grew in popularity earlier this year when the CEO of Burberry Christopher Bailey chose to showcase it as part of the brand's catwalk collection.
Fashion fan Phoebe Harkin, 21, of Hyson Green, said: "I know that lace is a big part of the city so there's really nothing to lose by doing this and a lot to gain."
Conservative MEP Miss McClarkin said: "Nottingham remains a byword for quality lace in very beautiful patterns, produced to traditional methods which have stood the test of time.
"It is important for the city and for the reputation of the product that only lace made in the Nottingham area should be called Nottingham Lace."
Should Nottingham Lace be given special status? See Post comment, on P12.