TEESSIDERS are being asked to mark the International Year of Volunteers by helping out at a charity shop.

The Children's Society is calling for extra volunteers to help run its shop in North Ormesby.

It believes that many would be surprised at the amount of work carried out at the premises, in Kings Road, and considers that pledging to help would be the perfect New Year's resolution.

Sarah Sharpe, an area retail manager for the charity, said: "This year is the International Year of Volunteers, which is a celebration of volunteers around the world.

"We want to be part of that celebration, and invite more people to get involved in the shop."

The Children's Society works with 40,000 children and their families nationwide, in more than 100 projects.

Ms Sharpe said doing your bit on a local level can be extremely rewarding.

"One of our volunteers told me how glad they were to have made that first call," she said. "Making new friends by taking part in our work was the best thing they ever did."

Anyone interested in volunteering can ring Ms Sharpe on 0800 980 8524.