As far as this serious-minded Shops scout is concerned the only Mr Benn in town is the pipe-puffing, irascible old socialist.

We always thought there was something not quite right about his namesake, who we always thought was clearly an oddball suburban fantasist.

So, to be plain: we don't like dressing up to have fun.

But then we're prepared to concede plenty of people do.

The party season is approaching like a fast truck and some of you will no doubt be invited to a fancy dress party.

Fat Tuesdays, in Leicester's High Street can help.

First things first.

The apparently odd name is a literal translation of 'mardi gras', the traditionally frenetic celebrations around Shrove Tuesday in places like Brazil.

They have recently moved from their original home in Market Place to the new place at the top end of High Street, just over the way from the Orange Tree.

The selection of outfits for hire upstairs is as wide as your imagination.

Downstairs is all together more shoplike.

They have outfits for sale down here – something saucy for the ladies perhaps? Something gothy?

Or how about something hunky, funky and very 1970s for the gentlemen? How about a spaceman or a long-haired Lord of the Rings elf?

There's a big selection of wigs too for the ladies and the gents.

The Amy Winehouse-style beehive – called Rehab – made us smile.

At one point we could have sworn we saw a Lee Mavers, you know him out of the Las.

But it turned out to be another 60s/70s, erm, syrup.

To complete your outfit – and the friendly staff told us some of their customers are very serious about this stuff – there are plenty of accessories and make-up thingies. They also do a sideline in traditional joke shop staples – whoopee cushions, water-squirting flowers and plastic dog poo.

You get the idea. Timeless stuff indeed.

There's a huge range of novelty party balloons – which they will fill with helium for you.

They will also help you plan any parties you may be planning, with tips on room decoration and mood setting.

It is open from 9.30am until 5.30pm Monday to Friday and between 9am and 5.30pm on Saturdays.

They are planning to open on Sundays and later into the evening during the week in the run-up to Christmas.

Oh, they're also working on a website, which they expect will be up and running soon.

www.fattuesdays.co.uk