OR most people, charity shops are not the obvious choice for a new outfit to impress friends and strangers.

But a Bolton radio presenter told how she is often complimented on her attire, even by The Great British Bake Off’s Mary Berry — considered a style icon after a floral bomber jacket she wore on the BBC2 show sold out in minutes.

Elaine Taylor is now urging others to have a rummage in the town’s many charity shops after the domestic goddess gave her the style thumbs up when she visited for last month’s Bolton Food and Drink Festival.

The 53-year-old, who has a Wednesday evening show on Bolton FM, was wearing a £1.50 blouse and £2.50 jacket from Age UK, Farnworth, when she met Mary and her Bake Off sidekick Paul Hollywood.

She said: “She loved my charity shop-bought jacket and top.

“We’ve got some great choices in the town centre. I told her to nip round them before she left for London.”

Elaine, who works at Bolton Community Transport and Furniture Services, started shopping in charity shops about 12 months ago, before which she would occasionally pick up items from supermarket clothing ranges.

She is always on the look-out for a stylish bargain, including classic jackets and lined clothes.

She said: “They are probably quite expensive first time round.

“It’s nice because you’re not spending a lot on clothes.

“And when you’re trying on stuff that somebody else has bought, you realise stuff that suits you that you would never usually take to the changing room.

“At one time, charity shops could be a little bit dodgy, but they’re all clean now.

“There’s not that stigma that goes with second-hand clothes shopping anymore.

“Some of my friends shop in charity shops. It’s like we’re addicted now. I can’t resist the temptation when someone says they like something to admit it was £2.50.”

Claire Freeman has worked at Scope, Newport Street, for almost three years and says they regularly get quality donations including Laura Ashley silk tops and new clothes, with the tags still on.

She said: “We had a Mulberry handbag which sold for £50. We had a clutch purse made in Germany, it had little porcelain beads on it. That went for £35.

“We get Mulberry purses, Radley bags, Kipling bags, top of the range handbags.

“We do get a lot of Bench stuff in here, for men, and G-Star.

“I didn’t really shop in a lot of charity shops, now I shop in them all.

“Even what I’m wearing now is Phase Eight.”