Customers queue outside the Shelter Scotland charity shop in Edinburgh (Image: PA)

Bargain shoppers queue outside Scots charity shop to snag rare first edition Harry Potter and HG Wells

Punters queued up outside the Shelter Scotland store in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, from 7am for the "almost legendary" January sale.

by · Daily Record

Shoppers flocked to a Scots charity shop in a bid to get their hands on rare items, including first editions from the likes of JK Rowling and HG Wells.

A signed first edition Harry Potter book and designer clothes were among the items sold in the store's "almost legendary" January sale.

Punters queued up outside the Shelter Scotland store in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, from 7am on Wednesday for the event, which has been running since 2003.

Designer brands on offer included Armani, Gucci, Jimmy Choo and Ralph Lauren, while homeware enthusiasts browsed vintage coffee sets, tea sets, and Portmeirion chinaware.

Books on sale included a signed, first edition first impression of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, priced at £400 and a first edition of The War of the Worlds by HG Wells, selling for £600.

Rare signed first edition copies of Harry Potter books (Image: PA)

The Harry Potter book and a signed first edition, 10th impression of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, priced at £200, quickly sold and the event raised £3,500 in the first hour alone.

Shelter Scotland Stockbridge shop manager, Peter Jew, described the sale as an "almost legendary event in Edinburgh".

He said: "This is a chance to showcase and celebrate our donations and we're immensely grateful to everyone who contributed.

"This year, we have a truly magnificent selection on offer, this is a great opportunity to grab something special while supporting Shelter Scotland in the fight against the housing emergency."

Shelter Scotland said that there are more than 9,500 children in Scotland with nowhere to call home this winter.

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Its director, Alison Watson, said people's support "keeps us in the fight against homelessness" and thanked customers and donors for their generosity.

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