The majority of the dresses have never been worn

The dresses, valued at more than �50,000, were donated to the Cancer Research UK shop in Cowdenbeath, Fife.

Staff said they had been "overwhelmed" by the gesture and revealed they had had to open a "shop-within-a-shop" to put the stock on special display.

The donation by Barbara Slater, 43, of Bridge of Earn, Perthshire, was her entire shop stock of bridalwear.

Her decision to part with the dresses came after she decided to concentrate on a new internet business.

She said that she chose Cancer Research in memory of her late mother.

The dresses, some worth up to �1,500, are now on sale for no more than �200.

I do feel research will find a cure eventually and if I can do anything to help, then I am glad to Barbara Slater

Shop manageress Lorna Fairgrieve said interest in the dresses has been huge, with customers travelling to Cowdenbeath from Falkirk, Stirling, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Borders.

She said: "The call came out of the blue. The lady that donated these dresses was initially going to bin them I think before she called up and asked if we would be interested in taking them.

"It's not just bridal gowns, but bridesmaids dresses, flower girl outfits - even mother of the bride outfits - in all shapes, sizes and colours.

"She's also given us shoes, headdresses, everything a bride would need for the perfect day."

Ms Fairgrieve added: "Some of them have been hire outfits, but most are brand new. They really are gorgeous and we've created a special bridal department upstairs from the general shop to display them all."

Ms Slater, who has closed down her bridal store near Perth, told fundraisers she wanted to aid research into cancer cures.

She said: "My mum only knew she had cancer for a week before she died. It was a hard time but, thanks to the Macmillan cancer nurses, she passed away peacefully.

"She was well looked after and well loved. I also had a scare years ago and I do feel research will find a cure eventually and if I can do anything to help, then I am glad to."