STAFF at a Worcestershire charity are celebrating after the lease on their shop was renewed for the next three years.

The Worcester and District branch of Cats Protection shop in St John’s, Worcester, had its third anniversary this month.

And the announcement that their lease has been extended has given everyone at the branch a boost for the year ahead.

Fran Holder, shop manager, said: “It’s great news for all our volunteers – now we’re all really looking forward to continuing our success.

“We’re very lucky to have a good customer base and a lot of people shop with us and support us. Lots of people comment on how well presented the shop is."

The shop was opened in February 2006 by Margaret Kimberly, the branch’s vice chair and home checker, and a core of volunteers.

Miss Holder said: “To open the shop was one of Margaret's long-term ambitions in order to raise vital funds for the branch.

“She looked for premises for some time and as soon as she saw the shop she knew it was ideal - a good location at the heart of a good community.”

The shop sells a variety of good quality items including clothing, bric a brac, books, CDs and videos. Cat food can be dropped off and information is provided on the charity and the cats in the branch’s care. All money raised in the shop goes towards caring for the cats.

Miss Holder said: “We rely on donations to keep the shop open so they are always appreciated if they are clean and saleable”.

Volunteers’ ages range from 20 to 80 years old with 20 people currently helping Miss Holder on a rota basis. They travel from all over Worcestershire.

The shop is open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday, and more volunteers are welcome. No experience is necessary.

If you can help, call Fran Holder on 01905 426748.

Volunteers at the branch raised £444.03 from a two-day tin collection outside the Tesco store in Warndon Villages, Worcester, at the end of January.