Cash-strapped people are flocking to charity shops during the economic downturn in search of a bargain.

Charity shops in most areas of the borough report customer increases by as much as a third in recent months.

According to Sue Burgess, manager of the Harlington Hospice shop in Station Road, West Drayton, the number of people passing through the shop doors has gone up by almost 30 per cent in the last two months.

She said: "We have noticed a lot more people coming in who wouldn't do so normally, and they are particularly interested in clothing and shoes, but also toys and games with Christmas coming.

"Despite this, a lot of people are continuing to donate their unwanted items, and we often have to ask people to bring their stuff back the next day as we are so inundated."

Joy Crowe, manager of the British Heart Foundation shop, in High Street, Uxbridge, confirmed customer numbers up by 25 per cent, and said clothing was a particularly popular purchase.

But she noticed donations had gone down dramatically: "Donations are crucial as they keep charity shops going but unfortunately we have seen less and less in the last six weeks."

Since the economic downturn began, charities nationally have been reporting a massive increase in demand for their help and advice, while at the same time donations, both financial and of goods, have dried up.

Liz O'Keeffe, manager of the Scope shop in Station Road, Hayes, agreed, saying the shop was receiving a third fewer donations compared to last year.

She said: "We would expect to receive a lot more winter clothing at this time of year, when people traditionally clear out their wardrobes and buy new things, so the lack of donations will affect us - the less we receive, the less we have to sell.

"People are also buying less - those who used to buy two sweaters are now only buying one."

Only Jo Davies, manager of the Michael Sobell House charity shop in High Street, Ruislip, noticed no change in customers or donations.

She said: "There is still the same steady stream of customers, and we are bursting at the seams with donations.

"Ruislip is quite affluent compared to the rest of the borough, and I just don't think the credit crunch has affected the area yet."