A CHARITY'S newest North-East shop has been given a boost by a women's group.

Joan Wilson, of Brotton, and friends have spent a year making and selling knitted toys and clothing to raise money for charity, as they have done for the past ten years.

At the end of each year, they hold a coffee morning at Brotton Methodist Church, where they sell home-made cakes and other goods.

They choose different charities to benefit from the proceeds, and this year is the turn of The Cancer Research Campaign's newest store, in Redcar.

Mrs Wilson, who will present a cheque for £604 to staff at the High Street shop on Friday, said: "Cancer has touched the lives of so many of the people who buy our goods and make kind donations, we feel that the Cancer Research Campaign is a very worthy charity to support."

Redcar shop manager, Heather Houseman, who has been in the post for two weeks, said: "Receiving such a generous donation is a really lovely way to start my job and I am very grateful to Mrs Wilson and her friends for all their hard work."

Anyone who can donate summer or winter clothing, bric-a-brac, toys or books, or who is willing to do voluntary work at the shop, can ring (01642) 498539.