MOST people have fond memories of their favourite toy from their childhood.

But for one Hindley pensioner she couldn’t believe her eyes after spotting her beloved childhood dolls’ house in a Leigh charity shop - more than 60 years after she gave it away.

The draw of nostalgia forced Gladys Grimshaw back to the shop to buy the dilapidated structure and with the help of her nephew, Colin Waddington, it has now been lovingly restored.

“It was such a shock to see it just in a window of a charity shop. It seems strange but I just knew it was mine,” said the 78-year-old.

“I was bought the dolls’ house when I was three or four and had it for years until it was passed on to younger family members.

“I am very curious to find out what happened to it in the years in between.

“I couldn’t believe it was just there in the window. I didn’t buy it at first and went home but I couldn’t stop thinking about it and had to go back and get it.”

Gladys is hoping to find out where her beloved dolls house has been since she was a child.

“The roof had caved in a bit and some of its features had broken off and had been left inside,” she said.

“But I could remember exactly how it was supposed to look so my nephew has been helping me to restore it. It would be fascinating to find out where it has been.

“It was second hand when I purchased it so it must be more than 80 years old.”

If you can help Gladys with information about the dolls’ house email newsdesk@leighjournal.co.uk.