FORMER fashion student Harriet Crossland is modelling a pair of Rock and Republic jeans. They're the brand that Victoria Beckham wears and designs for. They normally cost around £200. These cost £7.99.

Why? Because they came from Oxfam.

Harriet is assistant manager of the biggest Oxfam clothes shop in Britain which opened late last year in Darlington. The town has long had an Oxfam shop which has raised over £2m in the last 30 years or so and which is still going strong.

But the new one, in Skinnergate, is from a new generation of charity shops. For a start it's bigger, more spacious, and spread over two floors. And there are so many clothes, racks and racks of them.

"It's more like a small department store really," says Harriet. "Most shops have clothes that have been donated locally, but we have clothes from all over the country, so we have a huge choice. And we're constantly getting fresh stock in, so there's always something new here. There are some really good clothes.

"And we block price them. Everything in each section is the same price. It makes life easy. It's all more streamlined."

So all jackets, for instance, are £4.99. That includes men's tweed jackets, some of them almost unworn, lots of football manager style sheepskin and a huge range of leather and fur - "fake fur of course" says Harriet.

"Before Christmas they were just flying out of the shop. Everyone wanted fur."

There are entire rails devoted just to black leather jackets - classic fashion styles, bikers, over-the-top with leopardskin trim. All shapes. All styles. All sizes. All £4.99. There are leather trousers too.

Harriet, seamstress and former Oxfam volunteer, is now concentrating on organising a "boutique" upstairs in the shop.

"We get so many good labels in - Ted Baker, Firetrap, Miss Sixty - that we thought they'd appeal to students. They're a bit more expensive, but we're still talking only £7.99 for jeans and £4.99 for designer label tops. How else could you wear those labels for that money?"

There are some sparkly shoes and sandals to go with them too.

Also upstairs is new jewellery and a wide range of new books at knock-down prices.

There's a good range of Fair Trade foods: coffee, dried fruits, chocolate, "wonderful biscuits" - masses of candles, gifts and lots of children's books and toys - wooden puzzles and games, little cars and tractors.

"The toys are fun because they're mainly simple and wooden, so children can use their imagination and really play with them instead of just sitting in front of a computer," says Harriet.

There's also a good range of greetings cards - "Some are so nice that people buy the complete set to frame them rather than send", says Harriet - and the wonderfully anarchic slogan postcards:

"I've learnt so much from my mistakes, I think I'll make another."

"It's dangerous to be right when those in power are wrong."

"Behind every successful man, there's a surprised woman."

"Can't decide whether to be a good example or a horrible warning."

"Things are getting worse. Please send chocolate."

And many more...

Downstairs, there's a huge range of denim - three for the price of two, children's clothes, all immaculate, three items for £1, men's suits at £9.99, scarves at 99p.

They don't have bric brac, secondhand books or bedding, but you can get all those in the Bondgate shop. "That way, we don't overlap so much."

In the back, a team of volunteers is busy behind the scenes, sorting, stocking, labelling.

"We couldn't function without the volunteers. We have a really good group, but we need more. We always need more. But it's a gorgeous shop to work in."

* Oxfam, Skinnergate, Darlington is open 9-5 every day except Sunday.