PEOPLE are hanging on to favourite items of clothing and other cherished possessions for an average of 12 years, proving that things can and do last the test of time.

A quarter of us however have held onto ‘old favourites’ for over 15 years, and some for more than 25 years.

I’m one of the latter ones.

I still have a midi denim skirt with laces bought in the early 1970s and I did have a wonderful and valuable Ozzie Clark black maxi crepe dress bought in about 1972.

I was sick as a chip when this had to go in to a bin bag only two weeks ago as wretched moths had decided they liked it as well.

I’ve bags of stuff from the 80s lining the loft too. The clothes are all too small and want throwing out - but then they might come in, and not just for insulating the attic.

A survey by M&S Money looked at attitudes towards old favourites and found that not everyone throws things away easily.

We are happy to re-use our belongings if they’re in good working order, still in fashion or they just make us feel good.

And what’s wrong with that? Clothing from the past was generally better made anyway.

At least I’m not on my own. Almost nine in 10 admit to harbouring an ‘old favourite’.