FORGET the staid, stuffy image of Oxfam shops of old.

The charity is branching out into new ventures all the time - and Huddersfield is playing a key role.

Nick Taylor, who is part of Oxfam's new development team, is looking for volunteers to help him set up a new eBay site - just one of the many new sales areas the charity is tapping into.

Mr Taylor, from New Mill, explained that close to 120 tonnes of clothing comes into Oxfam Waste Saver depot on Beck Road, each week.

It is Oxfam's clothing distribution centre for the whole of Britain.

The clothes are all donated goods that the 750 shops across the country have been unable to sell.

"Where there's muck there's brass!" he said.

"Since the tsunami and various other disasters Oxfam has tried to change the way they are perceived and the way they do business down in Huddersfield."

Now the emphasis is on tailoring the clothes to particular markets.

Under the title Waste Not Want Not, the charity is setting up specialist shops ranging from fancy dress to more upmarket attire.

"We're dealing with everything from vintage Prada dresses all the way down to wet suits!"

He said Gwyneth Paltrow's Oscar ceremony dress had been donated to the charity.

They are also targeting some of the big music festivals.

"In 2003 we went to Glastonbury and made a significant amount of money by selling wellingtons and fancy dress."

Clothes will appear at 15 festivals this year.

"We also want to get an online festival shop for next year," he added.

The next project is setting up a site on eBay.

Nick added if anyone could volunteer a couple of hours to help set up the eBay site they should call him on 01484 542021.