A charity shop in Barnard Castle is looking for premises after permanent tenants were found for the store it occupies.

The YMCA charity shop has been in the former Partners shop in Horse Market, since April, but stopped trading yesterday.

It is believed that the shop, which has been owned by the Shepherd family, of Barnard Castle, for decades before being sold earlier this year, will be split into two.

National coffee shop chain Costa Coffee will occupy one half of the two-storey building, with charity shop Barnado's taking up residency in the other.

The YMCA shop has proved popular in the four months it has been open.

Refurbished furniture was sold on the ground floor and the Textile Recycling (Try) project was based on the first-floor.

The Try project gave young people the opportunity to design and create clothes and accessories.

When the shop opened, staff had a temporary arrangement with the owner until permanent tenants could be found.

A YMCA drop-in centre opened in Galgate last year.

Tracy Blandford, chief executive of Barnard Castle YMCA, said: "It's a real shame the shop is going. It has really helped us raise the profile of the work the YMCA does and allowed us to raise some money.

"It has not always been an easy venture for us, but we feel overall it has been a great success to have the opportunity of the shop.

"We will continue to explore opportunities and options for having further charity shops in the area, so this may not be the last that people see of YMCA shops."

Anyone who may be able to help the YMCA in its search for a new base for a shop, is asked to telephone Ms Blandford on 01833-695780 or 07888-832458.