SO what can you get for a pound these days? Not much. About half a Marks & Sparks sandwich, or a cup of tea. Even the Big Issue costs more than a quid now.

But you'd be surprised. With just a few pounds in our pocket we went out to see what we could buy and the answer was quite a lot really. In fact, we came home with bags laden with some wonderful finds - everything from a hip swinging Elvis to some excellent reading glasses.

True, some of the bargain hunting shops are not exactly ritzy and glitzy. And there is nothing in bumper rolls of bin bags to make the soul soar. But in among the dreary dusters, lavatory cleaners and bundles of plant labels, we found some real gems.

In BOYES we found plenty of sensible things, like pie dishes and coat hangers. But it was the Elvis who made us smile. You stick him on your car window with one foot on the dashboard and he jigs away as you drive along. Worth a pound of anyone's money for sheer daftness.

SUPERPOUND had lots of things at £1 - as well as things much more expensive and not always clearly marked, which was a bit confusing. There were big balls of wool, disposable cameras, pruning shears, aprons and an eyeglass repair kit. But what took our eye was a jolly duck shaped loo roll holder and some stylish stripey flower pots which could have held their own in a top designer store.

WILKINSONS has always been one of our favourite bargain hunting stores. And our pound could buy us quite a lot of things there of the sensible sort of stuff - lots of kitchen utensils, a big mixing bowl, three black face cloths. There were also picture frames and vases, all for £1. But our favourite was the little potted primula (fake but cheerful) and a bag of 50 crocus bulbs - that's a pound well spent to give pleasure for years to come.

Our ultimate favourite store on this quest was POUNDWORLD. Partly because it was so simple - everything in there was £1 - which saved a lot of brain power and peering for labels. It makes shopping strangely relaxing - and probably saves them a fortune on pricing guns. And there were some wonderful things to be had - heavy duty torch complete with batteries, range of pretty melamine tableware, dishes or two large plates for £1, huge range of stylish kitchen utensils and mugs that look as though they could have cost a lot more, step counter, flask, picture hanging kit, giant pop up hamper - brilliant for storing toys, shoes or laundry - desk diaries for 2006, knee supports and all sorts of First Aid stuff, extension lead, foot pump, staple gun, headphones, camera, cool bag, four cushion grip screwdrivers and other tools, toys, teabags, candles, cleaning stuff, biscuits, sweets, drinks and a truly gruesome collection of Hallowe'en masks and accoutrements.

We also spotted some reading specs, those narrow ones in a case a bit like a fat pen. Three different strengths, different styles and colours at £1 a pair. We bought a pair to live in the car. If only for occasional map reading, they were worth every penny.

Finally we staggered out with two carrier bags full. Ten items, £10. Even I could do the sums. Above all, the quality was pretty decent. The torch is still working, the hamper hasn't collapsed, the specs have survived being stuffed in and out of the glove compartment and the camera took perfectly respectable pictures.

A pound might not be much more than loose change these days, but it's good to know that, sometimes at least, you can still get something for it.