The Information given here though generally applicable nationwide, may in some cases be relevant only to the Newcastle area.

These days many stores are becoming more and more TG friendly and Newcastle is no exception. Stores such as Primark, Marks & Spencer's, Fenwicks, Bainbridges, BHS, Barratt's Shoes, Shoefayre, to name but a few are all more than happy to help.

Clothes

I tend to get my clothes from two sources, the first being PRIMARK, I love the range of clothes,underwear and accessopries. Their prices are extremely reasonable.

If you are worried about buying them for yourself, tell them its for your wife or girlfriend, you'll find the assistants will be quite helpful and if your buying a complete outfit will even give you advice on what looks good together.

The second main source I buy clothes is from a mail order. These are good because they have size guides in them and are also useful for checking your sizes before shopping in the High Street.

Don't worry about ordering from a catalouge to the telly sales people it's just another sale.

One in particular I use is Shoe Tailor, they have a large range of shoes, in sizes up to 12's with a range of width fittings also. Of course from them you can also purchase a wide range of other clothes and accessories. You can find Shoe Tailor at www.shoetailor.com look them up.

Makeup

One good piece of advice I can give here is, get yourself an Avon Lady, you will find that they are helpful, and will give you advice on makeup if you need it. Though regretably they are not as readily available as they used to be. Avon makeup might not suit you some people do have a reaction to different brands of makeup. If you haven't got an Avon lady and would like to get in touch with Avon look them up at www.avon.co.uk

On the local scene there are two very good sources for make-up. One is in the Old Grainger Market adjacent to the old Weigh House (not to be confused with Weigh Shop) and the other is in the New Grainger Market just by the doors.

There are of course the usual High Street sources, such as Boots and Superdrug, both of whom I have always found extremely helpful.

If your planning on 'walking' out you'll need a camaflauge foundation such as Derma Blend to ensure you beard is well hidden. It's available from Boots but you'll have to get them to order it, they don't keep it in. Remember what ever foundation you are using put moisturiser on at least five minutes before the foundation, it stops a lot of irritation. Personally I get my foundation direct from Charles Fox and their site can be found at www.charlesfox.co.uk