Abstract: A stand for supporting an item in an upright manner and which includes a base portion (1), a plurality of side portions (2) hinged to the base portion (1) so that they can be folded to be substantially flat with the base (1) or orientated at an angle to the base (1) for supporting the item, biasing element (26, 27) responsive to the item being inserted in the stand to bias each side portion into contact with the item for support in the stand, and an element (8) for supporting each side portion at an angle to the base against the bias force direction wherein each side portion supporting element (8) is releasable for folding the stand.