A Highfield woman is angry that furniture donated to a Keighley charity can be auctioned to antique shop owners.

Judith Allen claims kind-hearted people are being misled when they donate furniture they believe will go to needy families.

Keighley Furniture Service has for many years collected unwanted furniture and household items, which it sells at low cost to people on low incomes.

The charity recently began refurbishing wooden items which it previously had to turn away because they were broken or in poor condition.

The 25 part-time refurbishers are mostly young people learning new skills and experience to help them find permanent jobs.

Furniture repaired by the team is being sold at a public auction this week, with the proceeds helping fund the project.

Judith Allen, of Highfield Road, was shocked to hear about the auction this week when she visited the service's premises in Oakworth Road.

Mrs Allen, who is herself on a low income, claims she found a man from a Bingley antique shop sizing up the best furniture to bid for.

She believes people who donated items to the Furniture Store would be horrified to discover where they are going.

Mrs Allen adds: "I think it's wrong. People donate things for a reason -- they think they're doing a favour."

"The whole idea of the place is that it's for people on low incomes. The auction should be for the same people."

Mrs Allen says that if she had unwanted furniture she would rather give it away than see it going to an antique shop.

Ann Sheriff, manager of the service, refutes Mrs Allen's claims and says she has "got hold of the wrong end of the stick".

Mrs Sheriff stresses that the only items being auctioned are those which, before refurbishment, were only fit for the tip.

Although some refurbished items are sold to people on low incomes, most of these "customers" prefer modern items.

She says: "There are two sides to the furniture project. This is nothing to do with the furniture for people on low incomes.

"The furniture auction is to raise funds for the refurbishment project. We're trying to help ourselves.

"A lot of charities have to rely on charitable trusts for funding. We thought we were doing something for everyone.

"It saddens me that people complain when a charity tries to help itself."