THE British Heart Foundation is encouraging residents in the York area to clear out their wardrobes for a good cause.

A BHF poll found that 16 per cent of people in York and across Yorkshire and the Humber feel guilty about the amount of money we spend on our wardrobes.

In a survey of more than 2,000 UK adults, stashing secrets across the area were revealed, with men and women hanging onto an average of five items each that no longer fit and 65 per cent admit to having at least one item they have never worn at all. The BHF has released these statistics to encourage everyone to declutter their wardrobes and donate any unwanted clothes to one of the charity’s local shops. Every item donated helps to fund life saving heart research and the BHF offers a free home collection service. To find your local shop, order free donation bags or find out more about the home collection service, visit bhf.org.uk/bagit. Allison Swaine Hughes, retail operations director at the BHF, said: “Although we may not all look forward to having a clear out, the feel good factor when it’s completed is clear to see. Hopefully these results will encourage everyone in Yorkshire and the Humber to have a clear out over the coming weeks and keep the BHF in mind as the perfect place for any unwanted stuff.”