By Sarah Peel

Style bible Vogue has named three Sussex charity shops as among the best in the UK to pick up a bargain.

The fashion magazine, which usually features famous models and celebrities, listed the Eastbourne stores as being great places to pick up a ‘vintage treasure’.

Help the Aged in Albert Parade, The British Red Cross in Grove Road and The British Heart Foundation in Terminus Road were named by the magazine.

Help the Aged’s manager Jenny Gearing, whose volunteers range in age from 15 to 87, said people often donate designer clothes from Karen Millen, DKNY and Ghost.

She said: “When myself and the volunteers found out we were named in Vogue we were very pleased.”

Help the Aged in Eastbourne has 15 part-time volunteers, each working four hours a week.

Ms Gearing added: “Our success is down to the fact that the customers like the shop’s old-fashioned style.

“It hasn't changed and therefore it isn't like everything else on the high street.”

Since the edition hit the streets, Ms Gearing said more young people had visited the shop.

Michaela Poolton, manager at The British Red Cross shop, described featuring in Vogue as an “achievement.”

She said: “What an achievement to be in Vogue. Aren’t we lucky.”

Mrs Poolton said her volunteers and the presentation of the shop is what makes them stand out from other charity shops.

She added: “We have just received some Christian Dior jewellery which we make sure is kept in good condition in a closed cabinet.”

Meanwhile bosses at The British Heart Foundation say among the donations they have received are items from Betty Jackson and Jaegar.

Manager Jill Baker said: “If I wouldn’t buy the item I won’t sell it on the shop floor.”

The store receives many donations but also has a van driver that drops more than 2,000 items to the store every week.

Mrs Baker said: “We have been open for 20 years and are the best charity shop in Eastbourne, people always tell us that.

“We do have lovely things in our shop which are all different shapes and sizes.”

Do you regularly pick up bargains in charity shops?