'I went to a charity shop and was shocked at what I found for just £20'

Charity shops are a treasure trove for those with an eye for pre-loved clothing, trinkets and second-hand gems. It takes a bit of perseverance to sift through the shelves, but they can be a gold mine for high-value items at a steal - if you have the patience to search. With countless charity shops scattered across the nation, you never know what you might stumble upon. This was precisely the case for Manchester Evening News journalist Adam Maidment, who was pleasantly surprised by his £20 haul.

He singled out one shop in Bolton as holding the "esteemed position of the best of them all." Bolton Hospice charity shop, located on Hillview Road in Astley Bridge, has been crowned the best in the North West by the Charity Retail Association. The establishment boasts a charity shop on one side and a community cafe on the other, both operated entirely by volunteers.

Adam stated: "In recognition of the honour, I decided to head down with £20 in my pocket to see for myself whether it really was the best in the North - and to find out what I could buy without breaking the bank. I headed straight to the aisles to see what I should spend my £20 with."

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The first thing he came across was a plethora of Christmas-themed items, including tinsel, cars and gifts - ideal for those looking to get a head start on their festive shopping. He managed to snag a brand new festive pet costume, still with tags, for just £2. Next, he turned his attention to the clothes.

"Steering away from the festive aisles, there were then rows and rows of clothes - ranging from children's, easily broken up into ages and genders, to men's and women's. Here, I spot a jazzy little jacket for my seven-year-old niece for just £2.50 and I'm drawn to just how reasonable the prices seem to be - considering some of the pretty eye-watering price tags I've seen in the few charity shops I've been in over the last few months."

He also spots a Harry Potter robe and tie for £4, a kid's adidas jacket priced similarly, and a few crates of brand new clothes from Avon, including pyjamas, scarfs, hats and gloves. He said: "Whilst sizes are very limited, I pick up a nice wine red hat and scarf set priced at £5. It looks thick and fluffy, and will be perfect for the wintery months, so I decide it will go nicely as a Christmas present for a family member - I've just not decided who yet. Better yet, trying to compare how much it would cost if bought direct, the cheapest I could find it online was for £12."

"Over in the toys and games section, I find a little family-friendly trivia quiz set that's just 80p. I'm sure it will get played a couple of times over the Christmas holidays. There's also a range of dolls, teddies, board games, and play sets on offer for reasonable prices too," he added.

Adam then picks up a John Cooper Clarke poem book for just £1. Meanwhile, in the a homeware section, a row of suitcases pique his interest.

"Amongst them, priced between £3 and £6, is a decent black case that could be good for short-haul trips. It's not brand new by any stretch of the imagination, but it's clearly only been used a handful of times. And, considering it's just £3, it has all its stitchings, zips, and compartments still in order," he expressed.

"Heading to the counter, I'm greeted by more Christmas items including a cute glittery candle. Whilst it's still in its original packaging, there's nothing to suggest what scent it is possessing, but at £3, I'm sure it'll be another good present addition somewhere along the line."

Adam's shopping spree totalled up to £17.30. He managed to keep some change from his £20 and bagged some Christmas presents as well. He commented: "What sticks in my mind most about my visit is just how affordable things are and how most items on sale are in very good condition, if not still brand new."