SIR: Once again I feel the need to complain about charity shops.

I saw a clown in the window of one today (second-hand, of course) for over £3. I got one identical brand new two weeks ago, just £2. It really is time these charity shops got real. They have all items donated free of charge.

I, for one, have stopped using charity shops completely and I know a lot of others who have stopped as well. If you can get it brand new for less cost, then that's what everyone will do.

I'm absolutely amazed at how some of these charity shops remain open.

Mrs L M Robinson, Georgina Court,

Daubhill, Bolton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.