IT’S the latest recession-beating craze to hit Huddersfield.

More than a thousand cash-strapped locals have joined the town’s ‘swap shop’.

Members of the group – which started on the internet – meet every week at in the cafe at Huddersfield Bus Station to exchange goods.

No money changes hands, as people give away items they no longer want and receive those that they do.

“There’s a whole range of things on offer from fridges and TVs to clothes and babies’ toys,” said organiser Sophia Crawshaw, from Marsh.

“At the last exchange we did there were up to 60 people, with more coming and going throughout. It’s become a proper community and it’s absolutely super.

“It’s just spread by word-of-mouth, especially around the areas of Deighton and Dalton. People are just telling their friends all about it and signing up.

“The site was set up as everyone is struggling right now during the recession and even charity shops are becoming expensive.”

The community was originally set up by Bianca Carr, but the site was taken over by Sophia last summer.

She and fellow moderators – her husband Tony, Dawn Riley, Michelle Hopkins and Mags Cole – run the site.

Users sign up to Facebook groups ‘Free and Friendly Clothes in Huddersfield’ and ‘One Good Turn – Lists another’ and list the things they no longer require.

Members can then put their name down next to the item they want and pick it up at the next café meeting.

If there’s more than one person who wants something, then names are drawn out of a hat.

Sophia, who is a customer service officer for Kirklees Council, said: “It’s absolutely super and its just growing and growing.

“It has become a really nice community and it’s a great way of meeting people. There’s quite a few people in the group who have depression and it has been a great way of getting them out of the house and meeting people.

“Everything is given away – no money changes hands.

“People just give stuff away because they don’t use them anymore and they want to help others who are struggling.

“Everyone is finding it hard at the moment, especially people who have got children.

“We tell people – only take something if you really need it – don’t just take it for the sake of it.”

Those who don’t obey the rules are banned from the group.

Sophia lives with husband Tony – a sales manager for Yale– son Jacob, 16, and daughter Heather, 11.

The 40-year-old said: “We’re very protective of our group and we have a very clear mission statement but you have to do to keep it running well.

“It’s so lovely to see people giving things away to help others – it’s seeing the best side of human nature and kindness. My daughter gave away her Nintendo DS and some games because she wanted it to go to someone who would really like it.

“It’s really great for the kids and it’s a good way of recycling their things.

“I’ve made lots of friends, a couple of them will be friends for life.”

Sophia said members range from teenagers to pensioners, with lots of young mums and first-home buyers getting involved.

For meeting times and to see what’s being exchanged, visit Facebook groups ‘Free and Friendly Clothes in Huddersfield’ and ‘One Good Turn – Lists Another’.