In every city in Scotland, infact in every corner of every shire it is becoming increasingly difficult to find those family run shops selling all types of commodities from Bread to the Kitchen Sink.

As each shop property becomes vacant, another charity oirganisation takes over the premises and stocks up with other people's unwanted clothing, bric-a-brac, books, furniture, CDs and old records. infact rather than throw old unwanted goods into the bin, we now trail them to the nearest charity shop and deposit the goods there.

Does this mean the charity shop is a depository for our rubbish? Well not quite, some little gems have been discovered in the unsuspecting charity shop, which is usually staffed by people who are not antique dealers but people who have given up their spare time to help out for free. Some members of the public have made it a hobby to scour these premises in the off chance that a hidden treasure will be discovered. However, these little outlets can be a godsend to those who cannot afford designer clothing but can pick up an item for a few pounds rather than a few hundred.

The EU are encouraging us to recycle paper, glass and other items considered no longer useful to us. So why not recycle our clothes, furniture etc if they give someone who may not have been able to purchase them new, enjoyment from owning them now.

If charities are to exist and keep up the good work of helping to fund various organisations not financially suported by other means, then let it continue.

In Aberdeen City there are 18 charity shops, Edinburgh 56 and Glasgow 56, this is a sign of the era we now live in. Editor