The manager of a Chalfont St Peter charity shop has revealed that members of the public have started to donate expensive items to help those in need.

Kate Walton, who is in charge of the village’s Rennie Grove branch, told the Free Press that working at the not-for-profit organisation is similar to opening numerous Christmas stockings due to the curiosity about what is in each donated bag.

Some goods are immediately put out on the shop floor, whilst others are used for rags if they are not in good condition.

However, in recent weeks, several residents in the area have begun to give away items which are considered to be ‘collectables’ to aid the charity.

These goods are put on the charity’s eBay page with the highest bidder winning the item.

She explained: “Working here is very similar to a Christmas stocking – you get a bag in and you don’t know what’s inside it.

“I wouldn’t say no to anything but let’s say we get some clothes in which are in a bad way, we still get money for them because of the textiles.

“But other than that, everything is recycled or used in another way.

“Nothing goes in the bin which is very good.”

She continued: “We do have an eBay page where we sell high-value items and it does work.

“At the start of March, we had this vintage Lego pirate ship come in, and I believe it was from the 1980s.

“All the pieces were still there and it was in great condition, so we put it on eBay and it was sold for something like £300.

“And what makes it great for us is that the money from eBay sales gets distributed to the shop where it was donated to.

“If it’s made by someone who pays tax and is a Gift Aider, then we get an extra 25 per cent for whatever we sell it for.

“It makes a massive difference.”

Kate has also revealed that more young people are now using charity shops, which include the Rennie Grove branch in Chalfont St Peter.

Across the county, many people under the age of 30 have been spotted in second-hand shops, with many using them as a great way to find clothing.

She continued: “When my children reached an age where I could return to work, one of my kids said that I should work in a charity shop as I’m always popping into them.

“It was a great idea and I love it.

“The reusable element is fantastic, everything gets recycled and everything is different in a charity shop.

“If you go to a so-called ‘normal shop’, you’ll get racks of the same thing, but in any charity shop, you’ll find something that’ll suit you.

“It’s a great place to find your treasure.”