What makes a wealthy Hampshire widow turn part of her picture box cottage into a second-hand clothing emporium? Kate Thompson finds out more...

MAKING your way to Marian Chappell's chocolate box, thatched cottage is an adventure in itself.

Once you turn off the main Braishfield road, there's a windy country lane that leads to her door - and the most remarkable weekly clothing sale.

Room after room is packed with second hand clothing, children's outfits and eye-catching bric-a-brac.

Some of the clothes have never been worn and some are clearly cherished items - quite literally there are hundreds of coats, jackets, blouses, skirts and trousers to choose from. Along with the high street brands are designer names - and each item when sold will help raise valuable funds for the Wessex Cancer Trust.

Marian, 74, has been hosting the weekly sales for the past eight years and in that time they have raised a spectacular £145,000.

But despite its popularity, Marian is modest about her success.

"It all started by accident really. I had been a supporter of Wessex Cancer Trust for some years and when I was president of the local Inner Wheel group I had chosen them as my charity," she said.

"One day someone asked me if I had any clothing because they wanted to open a little shop - and I thought to myself, if they can do that so can I."

She operates on dress agency lines so the money paid for each item is split 50/50. Tomorrow will be the last open day this year as she closes from December through to March.

"I don't think people are going to want to come all the way out here when the weather is bad - and it gives me a chance to do things like shampoo the carpets and prepare for next spring when we open again," she said.

When Marian's husband Bob died in 1986 she took over running the construction company they owned and oversaw many important development projects.

When she decided to retire, it seemed the weekly clothing sales would be an ideal way to keep busy - but she had no idea how popular they would prove.

A former office in her home is the main area for the clothing but her bedrooms are filled with new stock ready to be sorted and catalogued ready for sale. Another bedroom is a changing room and from her kitchen, hot drinks and yummy cakes are served - the sale of which alone has boosted funds still further.

Even her comfortable sitting room, gets used for sorting clothing.

"It has taken over my home a bit but I don't really mind. I couldn't do all this without the help of my friends May McKinnon and Margaret Seymou.

They have been wonderful and have helped me right from the start," said Marian.

Women travel from far and wide to visit the sale, snap up a bargain and support a local charity.

May explained: "We have people coming from as far afield as Downton, Basingstoke, Lymington and Brockenhurst.

"It's lovely that it has proved so popular."

There are some regular visitors who treat the weekly sale as a chance to catch up with friends and have a chat - and when the weather allows they can sit in the garden and enjoy a cuppa.

"We also get quite a few husbands coming along who have lost their wives and they want to sell their clothes.

"We almost end up offering a counselling service to them as they often want to talk about their loved ones," said Marian.

As well as the sale, Marion also holds fashion shows of the nearly-new clothes and her enthusiasm shows no sign of abating.

"I really do enjoy doing this - and I am glad it has helped Wessex Cancer Trust," she added.

The Charity Day takes place on November 3rd from 10am to 4pm at The Old Cottage, Lower Slackstead near Romsey.