A charity shop has been targeted by the latest flash mobbing event, with crowds obeying instructions to hand unwanted clothes over the counter.
The mobbers included several journalists who had apparently been tasked to write about their experiences.
The 'flash mob' craze involves large groups of people carrying out a harmless but bizarre stunt in public, although less than 50 people gathered outside the Oxfam shop in Birmingham.
They waved garments above their heads and sang a chorus of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Give It Away.
Oxfam deputy manager Ken Cox admitted he was shocked by the sudden rush of donations at exactly 12.12pm, but grateful for the altruism of those taking part.
He said: "I wondered what was going on when I saw them all coming, but it's brilliant and it has put a smile on my face. They should do a flash mob like this every day as far as I'm concerned."
Most of the participants in the mob, who dispersed as soon as they had handed in their items, were reluctant to talk to reporters about the weird craze. David Dean followed the organisers' instructions - which included an order to flee at precisely 12.21pm.
Mr Dean admitted: "It's going to get boring eventually if they run out of ideas," before dashing out of the store. It would be better if it never happens again as you don't want to flog a dead horse."
This latest event comes after approximately 100 people gathered in front of the London Eye to wave a banana and "worship the wheel" as part of the flash-mobbing movement.
Flash mobbing originates from instructions posted on the internet, e-mailed or texted to people stating the time and place of the next meeting. The random acts, usually of pointlessness, have broken out across the US and Europe but the identity of the people behind them is a closely guarded secret.
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