Gladys Lillico, 74, who worked at the charity's outlet in Morpeth for more than 15 years, officially opened the Station Road shop on Saturday.

Ms Lillico said: "I love my role as a volunteer with Sue Ryder Care.

"I'm hoping lots of the customers from Morpeth will come to Ashington now they know they will see a familiar face.

"Of course, we are hoping for lots of new customers too."

The shop will sell donated clothes, bric-a-brac and books, with all proceeds going towards the charity's work caring for stroke victims, those with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and cancer.

Sue Ryder Care is also looking for more volunteers to help run the new Station Road shop and will be holding an open afternoon on Friday.

Business manager for Sue Ryder Care North East, Ray Hall, said: "Our volunteers help us help more and I am thrilled that all of our Morpeth volunteers will be joining Gladys in the new shop in Ashington.

"We are hoping to find new people to join the Ashington team, whether it's a couple of hours or a couple of days a week, to come in and help us."

For more information on volunteering visit www.suerydercare.org