The letter about prices being too high in charity shops is a most unfair statement.

The letter writer states they have done a great deal of charity work themselves.

I too am experienced in charity work and working in charity shops supporting both national and local charities run as businesses with overheads to cover and targets to meet.

The merchandise prices may be set nationally or locally and aim to provide good quality items at economical prices.

Occasionally some prices may be higher than high street shops because high street shops can afford to lower their prices.

This is extremely unusual and not the norm.

I have recently bought, from a charity shop, good quality baby clothes for my daughter’s newborn twin daughters, extremely economically, and she was delighted.

It is the customer’s choice as to whether they pay the charity shop price or a high street shop price.

Charity shops do not subsidise merchandise prices to tailor individual customer budgets.

The whole ethos of charity shops has changed – perhaps they should drop the name charity they represent commercially.

I shall continue to look in charity shops for items I need and pay the marked price.

E Farrell, Avalanche Road, Portland