From Ralph Lauren to Roland Cartier - 50 bags of designer gear given to Wolverhampton charity

Jacqui Goucher, who has run a cat rescue charity for 27 years, was stunned when she was given more than 50 black bin liners bulging with dresses, shoes and handbags for her second-hand clothes emporium, which raises cash for vets' bills.

But there was an even bigger surprise to come when she started opening the bags. Inside was a collection of vintage fashions going back 50 years, many boasting top brand names, and all from the same donor.

Amongst the haul were Ralph Lauren jackets, Roland Cartier shoes, Olsen tops and armfuls of Jaegar skirts and woollies.

Jacqui said: "I couldn't believe my eyes. It wasn't just the amount but the quality. There were clothes going back to the 70s and 80s, all fantastic retro fashions, just the kind of stuff people go mad for now."

The clothes cache came about following the owner's move to London to live with one of her daughters.

The family wishes the donation to remain anonymous.

Her daughter said: "All I can say is that clothes were my mother's life. She wanted to get rid of them but at the same time got upset at the thought of parting with them.

"She still brought three wardrobes full of clothes with her to London."

The donation was made to the Central Cat Rescue charity, which has a shop on Marsh Lane Parade, Fordhouses, Wolverhampton.

Jacqui had to close the shop for three days to unpack, size up and price the clothes with the help of a volunteer.

"Even then we've only opened half the bags," she said. "It's been really overwhelming.

"She had an outfit for every day of the year. What we'd love is for people who appreciate quality to come and have a browse. It would be nice to see them go to a good home."

She said the donor, who lived in a large Victorian detached near Dunstall Racecourse, was 'obviously very stylish' and cared for her clothes.

"Everything was beautifully folded and wrapped with tissue. A lot of outfits were colour co-ordinated together on hangers.

She obviously loved her clothes and never threw anything away.

She must have been very sociable because there's a lot of sequinned and diamante-studded evening wear. She also made some of the clothes herself." The charity was also given quality furniture from the same donor.