Unusual items found in town's charity shops

Dozens of bags full of items are given to the town's charity shops each week, but hidden deep among the many treasures and bargain buys are some startling objects.

Almost every shop the Mercury approached had a humorous tale to tell - and many spoke about items that could not be put on display for fears of indecency.

British Heart Foundation shop manager Carolyn Andrejko said: "We have had dirty pants which was a nasty surprise. We also get some Ann Summers basques and suspenders. And we get some kinky stuff through.

"We get two van deliveries of about 150 bags, about 130 bags a week through the door and two clothing banks in Bridgwater which produce between 30 and 40 bags a week.

"Amongst this we have had people's garden cuttings and rubbish. No two days are ever the same."

An equally unusual item was donated to Oxfam, over the road in Eastover.

Volunteer Shirley Wilson said: "Just this morning we got a fur willy warmer. When we think about half the stuff we find, it certainly makes us wonder."

National Missing Persons Charity shop manager Val Stenning said: "We have had the odd adult game. Some people don't think about it and we get lots of toys that are broken and couldn't possibly sell."

But not all things are hidden from display and some unusual donations are surprisingly a big hit with customers.

Scope manager Liz O'Connell said: "An edible thong came in for Valentine's Day last week and I couldn't believe it because it sold within about ten minutes of being out. That was about the strangest thing for a while."

And on a more child friendly theme, Julie Knight at St Margaret's Hospice shop in Fore Street this week received a dancing and singing pink pop-star pig.

She said: "I have had the weirdest thing I have ever seen come through the door. It is a fluffy pink pig dressed in an Elvis Presley suit and it sings You Ain't Nothing But A Hound Dog."