Here's a tip for bagging Christmas gift bargains

THERE are rows and rows of bikes for £30, there are toys for £2, there are Christmas trees for a five and decorations at five for £1... I'm wandering around a shop stuffed with bargains in a rather unlikely location.

- DIANNE BOURNE

I'm at the tip in Altrincham. Or the household waste and recycling centre, as they're officially called in Greater Manchester nowadays.

And these bargains are to be found inside the Renew shop on the site - indeed there are three of these shops to be found at Greater Manchester household waste sites, selling 'pre-loved' bargains that people have disposed of.

Once safety checked and cleaned up at a dedicated central recycling centre, items worthy of a new life are sent back out to the three Renew shops for people to snap up at bargain prices.

As well as grabbing some amazing bargains at the shops, in Altrincham, Oldham and Eccles, you can also feel good about your purchase, with all funds raised here going directly to charity. Since these shops launched in 2021, they've already raised a massive £1m for good causes in Greater Manchester.

Walking into the Renew shop at Woodhouse Lane in Altrincham is like wandering into a treasure trove. It's like a charity shop on a much grander scale.

There's no clothing (aside from a couple of novelty kids' tops) but there are piles upon piles of chairs, chests of drawers, musical instruments, TVs, bikes, crockery and bedding. Some of the items here are brand new and unopened.