SALVATION ARMY STORE IS AN ALADDIN’S

THERE’S always the hope of unearthing hidden treasure on a root around a charity shop. It’s all about the thrill of the find as you rummage through the rails and snoop your way past the shelves on the hunt for interesting, unusual and one-off items.

And at one Glasgow charity shop you could be more than likely to strike gold. A Hermes scarf, Jimmy Choo shoes and a Gucci watch are just a few of the items up for grabs at the first-ever Salvation Army auction, at its Dumbarton road shop tomorrow.

Nearly 200 items are up for grabs including a trophy presented to rangers player Dougie Gray during the Empire Exhibition of 1938, which will be sold along with an oil painting of the legendary player.

“We got a phone call to do a house clearance and when we were sorting things through the back we recognised the shape of the trophy,” explains Denise Waterson, manger of the Dumbarton road branch.

“It was rather dirty, so we cleaned it up, did a bit of research and found out it

There are some really fantastic treasures that we are sure will appeal

had been awarded to Dougie Gray, the longest-serving rangers player. We’re very excited about it.”

The shop is a cavernous space, home to everything from clothes, accessories and books to sofas, beds, dressers and dining tables that arrive in a steady procession throughout the day.

But it’s a room at the front of the shop, with windows that overlook the street and entrance, that contains some very special items indeed.

Behind the locked double doors is an Aladdin’s cave of prized pieces – interesting, unusual and each with their own story to tell.

There are covetable collectables, curiosities and kitsch. Some are valuable, others not so much, but they