FOR a while, a piece of red string around the wrist - as worn by Madonna to show her adherence to an ancient branch of Jewish mysticism - was the must-have accessory for celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Paris Hilton, Demi Moore and Britney Spears.

But these days, the wrists of the rich and famous are more likely to be adorned by something that looks like a giant coloured rubber band. The phenomenon began in the United States last May, with the launch of cyclist Lance Armstrong's yellow "Livestrong" wristbands, pitched mainly at men and athletes.

Armstrong was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer in 1996. It had spread to his lungs and brain and he was given a 50 per cent chance of survival. He fought back by undergoing aggressive treatment, going on to win the gruelling Tour de France a record six times in a row.

"Before cancer, I just lived. Now I live strong," he said. The original hope was that the $1 Livestrong wristbands would raise $5 million to help cancer patients, but around 44 million have been sold to date, and their popularity has spread far beyond the USA.

Among those spotted wearing them have been singer Sheryl Crow (Armstrong's girlfriend), actress Pamela Anderson, Prince William, Cheryl Tweedy from Girls Aloud, and US presidential candidate John Kerry.

With such high-profile endorsement, awareness wristbands have now taken over from lapel ribbons and pin badges as the most fashionable way of showing support for a particular charity or cause.

Nelson Mandela gave out white Make Poverty History bands at a London rally, as worn by singer Jamelia, TV presenter Graham Norton and actor Rhys Ifans.

Blue anti-bullying bands are backed by footballers Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand, comedian Avid Merrion and singer Bono; while Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry are endorsing black and white Stand Up, Speak Up bands, showing opposition to racism in football.

In Dorset and the New Forest, the trend has taken off among teenagers and younger children, with some wearing as many as six wristbands to school.

Poole mother Louise Busfield, fundraising coordinator of the national Birthmark Support Group charity, said: "I wasn't really aware of it, but my daughter Jordan suggested selling wristbands. At the moment, they're such a craze."

Louise ordered a batch of 1,000 red bands bearing the message Smile and Face It for the charity, selling them for £1 each. "After 10 days, we had sold more than a quarter of them just through word of mouth. All the profit goes back into the group. At the same time as we are raising money, we are also raising awareness," she said.

Jordan, 13, and her friends are selling the wristbands at Bournemouth School for Girls, and they are also going well at Clayesmore, Talbot Heath and Buckholme Towers, where Louise's other daughter Romy goes to school.

Local maternity wear shop BUMPS are stocking them and Louise's sister, who lives in Spain, has ordered 100 for her daughter to sell at school.

"We're going to have to put in another order because of the interest it's generated.

"They're not difficult to sell and people comment on them. The more our name gets known, the better," said Louise.

A second run of limited edition purple bands should be available in about six weeks.

For more information, see www.birthmarksupportgroup.org.uk; email fundraising@birthmarksupportgroup.org.uk; or write to Birthmark Support Group (Promotions), PO Box 5109, Poole BH14 9WG.

Wristband colours and what they might mean

Yellow: Support our Troops (also in camouflage green), Also Lance Armstrong Livestrong charity (right)

Blue: anti-Bush, autism, tsunami relief, prostate cancer, cystic fibrosis, anti-bullying

Purple: Alzheimer's, domestic violence, abused animals, bowel disease

Pink: breast cancer, ovarian cancer

White: pro-life, cancellation of Third World debt

Red: anti-smoking, heart disease, HIV/Aids, birthmarks

Orange: Asperger's, self-harm, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy

Green: rainforest, leukaemia, organ donation, world orphans

Grey: diabetes, brain cancer

Silver: anti-chav

Gold: childhood cancer

Black: mourning, melanoma

Black and white: anti-racism

Blue and pink: birth defects

Blue and yellow: Marie Curie Cancer Care

Slogans include Save Darfur; Faith, Hope, Courage; Kiss me, I'm Irish; Strength and Hope; Live Long; Share Beauty, Spread Hope; Live Wrong; God Bless the Dead; Jesus Loves You

If you want to make sure your money is going to a good cause, buy from registered charities.