A pickled monkey and a stuffed crocodile are just some of the strange items a Richmond clutter consultant has come across in her work.

Rachael Hymas, of Church Walk, helps clear clutter from homes across Surrey and the south west and is challenging readers to surprise her with the weird and wonderful unwanted goods they have in their home.

"My training consultation involved helping someone clear the clutter after their friend had died. We found a pickled monkey in a glass jar on his dining room table and a stuffed crocodile in the bedroom," she said.

Rachel added: "The owner had been a great traveller when he was alive and had accumulated lots of weird and wonderful artefacts over the years. I have to admit that I doubt I'll come across anything quite as unusual as that as a consultant."

Rachel, who finished a clutter clearing training course in April, says the business has been particularly popular in America - but its appeal is now spreading across the Atlantic.

Married Rachel said: "I practice what I preach and have regular clutter clearing sessions in my own home. I know how frustrating, overwhelming and challenging clutter can be and how scared some people are of letting go of things, which is great for my clients because they know I can relate to what they're experiencing with their clutter. Working for The Clutter Clearing Consultancy enables me to help others learn the skill of clearing clutter.

"Clutter clearing is not about doing it for people, it's about enabling them to make the decisions and have a process to follow - after all, it's not my place to make judgements on other people's belongings. If it was as simple as that I'd save money and tell them to get a skip."

For more information on the business call Rachael on 0203 3030 152 or go to clutterclearing.net.

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