a method for producing a hydrogel / fibre composite comprises : impregnating fibres of a fibrous material with a precursor solution comprising at least one polymerisable , and optionally also crosslinkable , monomer such that at least partial swelling of the fibres takes place ; and polymerising , and optionally also crosslinking , the at least one monomer after impregnation and at least partial swelling of the fibres such that the integrity of the fibrous material is at least partially preserved in the resulting hydrogel / fibre composite , provided that the crosslinking is not initiated solely by cation release from the fibres of the fibrous material . the invention provides a hydrogel / fibre composite prepared or preparable by the said method . the hydrogel / fibre composite may be adhesive to human skin with good properties of performance and subsequent painless removal . the composite is found to maintain acceptable strength and structural integrity on hydration or across one or more hydration / dehydration cycle , and thus finds use in , for example , biomedical products where this property is required .