DEDICATED staff at a Halstead charity shop are urgently appealing to more local people to volunteer as shop assistants and help raise money for elderly people in need.

The Age UK shop, situated on the Halstead high street, has sent out a call to arms to like-minded people to make a difference by volunteering for the town's organisation.

A spokesman for Halstead's Age UK shop said: “We are so grateful to all our volunteers.

“The Age UK Halstead shop really is reliant on the support of volunteers and so we are appealing to anyone in the local area who may be able to give up some time to get involved.”

The public plea coincides with this year’s Volunteers' Week, which rewards those who give up their time to help others and runs from tomorrow until next Friday.

The store, which is managed by Jon Brandon and Susan Springett, is using the national initiative as an opportunity to celebrate the hard work of its team of volunteers, Beryl Wright, Ann Downey, Lee Dawson and Rita Moore, who have each worked for the shop and devoted their time to the cause for more than nine years.

Lee Dawson said: “Volunteering with the Age UK shop in Halstead is really enjoyable.

“As well as doing a variety of different tasks in the shop, you meet new people every day. I have made good friends with both the shop team and people in the local community and would encourage anyone thinking of signing up to give volunteering a go.”

Volunteers' Week takes place between June 1-7.

For more information about volunteering visit ageuk.org.uk or search Age UK Halstead shop on Facebook.